An estimated nine percent — or 900,000 — of young men between the ages of 12 and 16 will become fathers before their twentieth birthday, based on a recent survey. Research and data collection efforts have tended to focus on female adolescents. As a result, less is known about the strategies and approaches for effectively engaging males in preventing teen pregnancies or even about their attitudes toward being a father. Clearly, the behavior of adolescent males is also central to preventing teenage pregnancy and childbearing.
From an articled updated on May 28 2015 by the Office of Adolescent health in USA
Is it important? Is it worth it? Why is it being ignored? Why are teen boys being left out of sex education? Why are girls getting all the attention than the boys yet – let’s say pregnancy among others – affects them both? And a boy’s role in pregnancy prevention shouldn’t just be discussed around him — it needs to be addressed with him, this is according to adolescent medicine specialists.
Surely girls don’t have sex by themselves, nor do boys; as are babies not made by one sexual organ, so we should advocate, teach and tailor messages that are leveled. Let’s find a middle ground, one that increases on the percentage of focus on the male teens or even one that broadcasts equal messages. We need them to be responsible for their actions and thoughts as we do the girls.
“In order to most effectively prevent pregnancy, having both partners informed about contraceptive choices and supporting each other is important,” said Paula K. Braverman, M.D., FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Adolescence.
I am so tired of these one sided messages that make one gender almost more important than the other one, yet we are all equal in the eyes of our creator. Boys suffer too with sexual problems, even if not as intense as the girls. And this less intensity should not be considered less important. I would really love a campaign that looks at boys and their sexual needs and desires plus problems, no matter how small.
Oh… yeah, I know that donor money dictates where and how it should be spent, but if we are looking at improving our situation as a country and a generation plus end these issues, we need to change this game we are playing. Let’s let them know that we appreciate their money, but we need/have to change the game for this to work.
As I am writing this, I have been reminded that many are employed in these NGOs that tackle these issues and thus need to keep their jobs… Hmm okay! Muja ku genda! Surely we can’t be that selfish. These are real issues, affecting real people and solutions are readily available to track them. We shouldn’t look at them as just advocacy and sensitization issues that bring donor money in the country or pay our bills.
Boys and men want to be more responsible about their sexual behavior. In one recent survey, more than 90 percent of teen males agreed that male responsibilities include talking about contraception before sex, using contraception to protect against unwanted pregnancy, and taking responsibility for a child they father.
I can’t provide all the information you need for so here is some articles to read about this topic;
