Pregnant Teens are now being Bullied!

Embarrassing and bullying young, sexually active girls about an unplanned pregnancy is not only hurtful but it can cause major backlash. We are considered adults when we turn 18, and the legal age to consent to sex is between ages 15 and 18 depending on the state. Unfortunately if you decide you want to have safe consensual sex as a teenager, or as an un-wedded woman pregnancy is not always 100% preventable. Harassment can have serious life threatening consequences. It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day because of the fear of attack or intimidation by other students (National Education Association). Also, American schools harbor approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million of their victims (Dan Olweus, National School Safety Center). And unfortunately, 1 out of every 10 students who drops out of school does so because of repeated bullying. Today, bullying is becoming more common between adolescents ages 11 and up. The harassment can be a variety of things, lately; there has been a shift in focus from innocent teasing to serious harassment. As many as 90% of high school girls from all different backgrounds report experiencing at least some sexual harassment at school. Being pregnant can make teenage girls more vulnerable to sexual harassment at school. Some people might think pregnancy gives them an excuse to talk about someone’s sexuality or sexual history (Jane’s Due Process). Unwanted sexual jokes or comments, sexual name-calling, spreading sexual rumors, grabbing or touching students in a sexual manner, and pulling clothing down or off are just a few examples of what these girls are experiencing. No matter what the schools feelings are towards teenage pregnancy federal law says that if your school knows you are being sexually harassed and doesn't do anything to stop it, it could be held liable for all repercussions. All schools or school district should have a policy against sexual harassment. It is important to understand that when a young woman becomes pregnant it does not mean that she has slept with several men, and you cannot assume that she does not take care of her body and won’t be a terrific mother. Unfortunately, nothing is 100% percent effective at preventing pregnancy for people who are sexually active; it can happen to anyone who IS sexually active. It is a personal decision and those who take that step of intimacy should be able to do so without shame. Resources: 1. Jane’s due Process. Sexual Harassment. http://www.janesdueprocess.org/teens/education/sexualharassment, 2012. February 13, 2012. 2. Prairie View Prevention Services Inc. Bullies and Victims. http://www.prairieview.net/Bullies%201.htm, 2000. February 13 2012.