IT’S high time for all Filipinos, particularly parents and schools, to start discussing sex more often in order to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies among the youth, according to a clinical psychologist.
Clinical psychologist Riyan Portuguez gave this advice amid the increasing number of adolescent pregnancies among young girls in the country.
According to 2022 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, a total of 2,113 mothers aged 10-14 had given birth, an 11 percent increase compared to 2016.
To illustrate, about five to seven births every day are reportedly delivered by young mothers aged 10 to 14.
Officials have raised the alarm about these numbers, which came even as the Commission on Population and Development reported a decline in fertility rates of women in November 2022.
Portuguez, who is also a content creator and known as “Your Millennial Psychologist” on social media, said normalizing discussion about sex is one big step in order to curb unwanted pregnancies among the youth.
This is because the discussions could help inform them about the consequences of early pregnancy and the proper ways to practice safe sex.
Why are some adolescents getting pregnant?
Portuguez said that due to a lack of education because of their socio-economic status, some young women resort to childbearing as their way out of poverty.
“Minsan ‘yung iba nag iinvolve na [sa pre-marital sex] kasi baka pwedeng ito ‘yung way out pala nila sa family na hindi totally okay. So at least may mag tetake care sa kanila kasi magfoform na siya ng panibagong family,” Portuguez told republiciasa.
Young couples or women who have no other means of diversion because of their lack of resources are also at risk of getting pregnant, she said.
Ready to talk sex?
Portuguez said that parents and their children need to be psychologically prepared in order to have educational sex discussions at home, since it is often a taboo topic in traditional Filipino families.
“I think it’s important lalo na to open natin ‘yung awareness na ‘yun, na we need to talk about this more often, ask important questions with our parents din kung ano ba ibig sabihin nito,” she said.
Schools will also play a big part in improving student dialogues about sex. They can teach students safe sex practices and improve their awareness of the consequences of early childbearing on their health and emotional well-being, she said.
Sa school dapat pinag-uusapan ‘yan (safe sex practices). Hindi lang naman kasi ‘yun para hindi siya maging pregnant. Nandun din to give them ideas para maging safe sila, i-practice ang safe sex para hindi sila nagkakaroon ng sakit kung sakaling gagawin nila ‘yung premarital sex”
Riyan Portuguez
According to experts, women who give birth while they are still in their adolescent years are more likely to have serious health problems. The same goes for the child they will bear.
Some of the health issues that may occur include anemia, sexually transmitted infections, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Portuguez also said that empowering the youth and informing them about the repercussions of an unwanted pregnancy would help prevent them from doing the deed since they would be aware of the responsibilities attached to being a parent and raising a kid.
It is also essential to build support groups as an alternative to intimate relationships in order to prevent teenage or unwanted pregnancies, she added.
How should parents address adolescent pregnancy?
Parents should be “careful with their reaction” if ever their child gets pregnant or impregnates somebody.
This is because their reaction may cause additional psychological trauma to their children on top of the hardships brought by early childbearing, said Portuguez.
“I think the best way para ma-solve ‘yun is to become a supportive parent,” she said.
According to her, parents can be supportive by making their child feel that even if they make a mistake, they are still “loved and included in the family.”
