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  • Title: [Unwanted premarital pregnancies].
    Author: Gemme R.
    Journal: Contracept Fertil Sex (Paris); 1984 Feb; 12(2):429-33. PubMed ID: 12265830.
    Abstract:
    Recent research suggests that 40% of adolescents aged 16-17 and 65% aged 18-20 have experienced sexual intercourse. 30,000 adolescents in Quebec become pregnant each year, the majority of whom are unmarried. Fear of the girl at the absence of her menstrual period, possible deterioration of family relationships as the problem becomes known, abandonment of school, hasty and unpromising marriages, and abortion may be among the unfavorable consequences of early pregnancy. Although family planning centers and contraceptive information are available, 7 in 10 adolescents who become pregnant were not using contraception at the time of conception. The typical adolescent does not begin to seek contraceptive information until 6 months-2 years after initiating relations, and those using contraception from the beginning most often use a less reliable method. Many adolescents are not motivated to seek contraception because they do not view sexual relations as normal or natural for girls their age; they would have preferred to retain their virginity, but were swayed by pressure from peers or the partner. Their attitudes are reinforced by adults in general and the school system, which regard the provision of information on contraception as inappropriate. The feeling that contraceptive use is unnatural, fostered by films and books where the subject never comes up, the idea that discussion of contraception will destroy the romantic atmosphere of the act, or the fear of being thought promiscuous if they take the initiative in supplying or using contraceptives prevent many girls from using contraception. Psychological difficulties encountered when seeking contraceptives or incorrect use are other factors in the lack of contraceptive protection. It does not appear realistic to try to reverse the trend toward increased sexual activity among adolescents. Sex education beginning in the home at a very young age and at all stages of the school system, including information on contraception, is 1 possible solution to the problem of adolescent pregnancy. Discussion and presentation of contraception as a normal part of life, acceptance of premarital sex as a positive phenomenon as long as it is in a context of responsibility, autonomy, pleasure, and consideration for the partner, improving access to contraception for adolescents, and encouragement of sexual relations stopping short of full coitus are other possible approaches.
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