Why are so many teens getting pregnant? Why aren't they protecting themselves against STDs and pregnancy? The age that kids are having sex seems to get younger and younger. There is so much to look forward to in life, why now? Why not wait?

There are many reasons why teenagers have babies. Some young women feel so unloved and alone that they think a baby of their own will fill the emptiness in their lives. A baby will be someone to love and love them back. Other teens become pregnant accidentally. Many don’t have enough factual information about the risks of sex. Some believe you can’t get pregnant the first time you “do it”.

Others think birth control aids control like condoms or pills are totally safe. Unfortunately many young women don’t have the courage to say “No” when “No” or “Not now” is really what they want to say. These teens may get pregnant not because they want to have a baby, but because they want to please their boyfriend. They hope that doing what he wants will stop him from “dropping” them and dating other girls.

Peer pressure and the false idea that everybody’s doing it is probably the main reason why both girls and boys become sexually active. Some guys hook girls by throwing out the line, “If you loved me, you’d have sex with me”. Some girls catch guys by sending out signals that they’re ready, willing, and able to be a friend with benefit of all kinds. Whatever the come on is, it has the power to put sexually active teenagers at risk of becoming mothers and fathers much too soon.