Babies Help Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

15 Sep 2007 05:00 AM

A new program is sweeping Boys and Girls clubs around the nation, aiming its message at participants who are ages 11 to 13. Computerized babies, that look, feel, and cry--just like the real thing, are being offered through a "Real Skillz Parenting Course." (And no, skillz is not a typo.) Each $500 baby comes programmed to cry periodically for various pre-programmed reasons and the participant must correct the problem in order to make the doll stop crying. The kids have the infants from 9am to 3pm for a period of two weeks and the goal of the program is to show kids how difficult it is to take care of a baby so that hopefully they will take it upon themselves to prevent teen pregnancy.

When I first read about the program I was skeptical. I still think that working with parents to educate their children about sex and all of its consequences is one of the most effective ways to prevent teen pregnancy. Second to that, I favor abstinence education over passing out condoms. However, I got to thinking. . .

I am periodically involved in some teen counseling. While I was pregnant with the twins, I was working with a girl that just thought it was the coolest thing ever to have twins. She thought it would be great to have a baby--they're so cute, they're so cuddly, and she was sure that this little person would love her forever. So after the twins were born, I invited her over to 'help'.

Now I was very fortunate that I had full term, easy twins. As far as babies go, they were not difficult. Yet there were two of them. She quickly learned that there was no time for herself: when she got one to sleep, the other cried. When one was fed, the other needed to be fed but she was still burping the first one. In short the message was loud and clear: babies are not fun. She went on by the way, to finish college.

So maybe giving pre-teens a dose of what it's like to take care of a baby really will be one weapon in preventing teen pregnancy.

Related Articles:

Japan's Baby Mail Box

The Baby Moses Law

Let's Talk About Teenage Pregnancy

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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