GROUP DISCUSSION

To help you debate on the burning issue of teen pregnancy, you will first discuss it in small groups. Here are a certain number of statements about teen pregnancy extracted from http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/speakers_corner/discussion one of the best websites to learn vocabulary.

Pick out four or five that seem particularly interesting and discuss them in groups before the BIG TALKSHOW

A. Well, obvioulsy the first person to blame is the mother isn't it? Let's blame her, because if she's old enough to have sex, then she's old enough to know about the consequences isn't she?

B. So lets blame the parents. They obviously aren't doing their jobs right are they? No?, ok then lets blame the schools,...no, better still, blame the government, or worse still, dare we actually blame the FATHER?

C. If we placed more emphasis on the boys to look after themselves, to make sure they didn't get STDs,

D. Prevention is better than cure, and if our children are going to have sex anyway, we should make sure they have access to contraception

E. Adults opinion of sex education in schools and youth worth varies depending on their circumstances and the company they are in; I have heard the same adult voicing the opinion that “there would not be so much teenage pregnancies if it was not taught in school and spoken about at the youth club

F. If under sixteens are given condoms in a youth club it could be seen as promoting under age sex.

G. They learn about condoms, as a preventative against disease, not pregnancy, for obvious reasons.

H. I do feel very strongly that parents should be the main educators to their children on this whole matter

I. What I do not feel the kids are taught is the financial responsibilities a baby brings, this area is not covered at all.

J. Perhaps some underage mums could go along to schools and point out the downside.

K. I doubt whether the decision to teach a child the facts of life at, say, 7 or 12 will have any major impact on the number of pregnancies occurring in 16 year olds.

L. 99% of teenagers are 100% stupid, meaning that the more we try to give them good advice, the more they will want to rebel against their fascist, oppressing parents.