Stay Out Loud
May 1st, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Did you know that nearly 3 in 10 teen girls become pregnant every year? We think that's too many...and that's why every year on the first Wednesday in May we celebrate the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The National Day—and the entire month of May—stands for one thing: helping you realize that, while babies are great, they're better when you're ready for them. Starting a family as a teen is so hard; instead of just focusing on yourself, now you have...
April 20th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
For the past couple of years, it’s not much of a shocker when you walk through the streets and see a teen parent. “Look here she comes!” “Dang! That’s crazy!” “I can’t believe she’s pregnant!” These are the words that are said among my community as a first reaction when they see a teen mom. “When’s the baby shower?” “Do you know the sex?” “How far along are you?” These words, on the...
March 30th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
With the return of 16 and Pregnant, I started thinking about sex and consequences. TV shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom emphasize the concept that having sex as a teen has consequences. These shows provide a pretty good example of the changes that will occur in your life during a pregnancy, the difficulty of giving birth and the challenges of starting of a new life afterwards.
In each episode of 16 and Pregnant, we follow one teen girl throughout her pregnancy,...
March 23rd, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
As a teen educator, I have many opportunities to talk to and educate teens on teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. It is a lot easier for teens to go to other teens for advice, rather than to their parents or other adults, so it is very important for teens educators like me to know the facts and give good advice.
Sometimes talking to teens about sex and teen pregnancy can be hard. At times, I even find myself at a loss for words when dealing with the subject of teen pregnancy. But in...
March 21st, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Knowing when to break up varies in different relationships. When talking about teen couples there are many different signifiers. From my experience, high school relationships do not last for a few reasons:
They couple gets bored of each other.
Someone cheats, or is suspected of cheating (creating a ripple affect of fights, arguments).
Someone feels restricted and unhappy.
One reason couples may become bored with each other is because their relationship is based solely off of...
March 8th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
When it comes to dating, my mom and step dad are what some (me) might call over-protective, and what others (other parents) would call responsible guardians. In my opinion, I agree with the second statement, and I really appreciate how they act if I’m dating someone. Sure, my step dad will toss in an overload of terrible jokes to awkwardly break the ice, and my mom might talk too much because she’s interested in how the boy will treat me, but for the most part, they are excellent...
February 28th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Awhile back, when you met someone you liked, you’d ask for their number and call them later on. You’d actually have to speak to them. Chilling right? Today when we read “<3 luv u” from the person we like, our knees buckle, and we’re lost for words. Back in the day, our hearts would melt if someone received a love note, talked for long hours over the phone, or if he simply came up to talk to you in the hallway. Nowadays, Facebook and text messaging are...
February 24th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Growing up, my sister and I spent a lot of time together because she was the one that always babysat me while our mom was working. But that drastically changed when she became pregnant at 17. Our relationship completely changed because instead of her always being around me she was suddenly not there as much, and I think being only 4 when she was pregnant it was difficult for me to understand the whole situation. As a kid, I know I loved my baby niece but at the same time I was in a...
February 14th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Valentine’s day is here, and as my friends put it, “The pressure’s on.” February 14th is a day filled with love and romance for many people, but it’s also the worst day of the year to be single. Which is why, for single teens like me, the previous statement is especially true. The pressure to find a valentine is definitely on. When you think about it, this day is filled with pressure for teens, single or not.
If you’re single, then...
February 10th, 2012 | Stay Out Loud
Rejection: it hurts. No one likes hearing the word “no” come out of anyone’s mouth, especially from a boyfriend or girlfriend. But those two letters could be the reason you don’t become pregnant or contract an STI. No matter how hard or uncomfortable it is, we need to know it’s okay to say no to sex. Teens must think twice before having sex, because once it’s done, there is no going back.
Messages to have sex are all around us;...
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On last night's 16 & Pregnant, Sabrina's BF ends up missing their baby's birth. Was he wrong to not be there for them? t.co/clkaoKKU
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On last night's 16 and Pregnant Sarah's boyfriend left her & their baby to get a job; did he make the right choice? t.co/402XMkTT
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It's Mother's Day! Tell mom U love her then go take the National Day quiz...better yet, have her take it too! t.co/ywfyXesl #ND12
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Calling all Alabama teens--check out this great new resource! RT @thinkteenmc: Check out the new t.co/cn2zlBup
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Prom is right around the corner so grab your corsage & check out Colin's advice about prom from a guy's point of view: t.co/rZABudeC