Abstract of

A Curriculum Guide for Discussing Neonaticide

by

Angela Leslie Shaw

Spring 2001

California State University, Sacramento

Statement of the Problem

Almost half of today's teenagers are sexually active. Many females engage in sexual relationships even though they are not emotionally ready. Their early sexual initiation has been attributed to low self-esteem, early substance abuse, sexual abuse, rape, peer pressure, or relationships with older men. These factors combined with a lack of consistent contraception use often lead to unintended pregnancies. Currently much of sex education consists of teaching only abstinence and anatomy; consequently, teenagers are not getting the correct information on birth control and options for unintended pregnancies. Teenagers have limited knowledge and access to resources to resolve unwanted pregnancies. Sex education must address topics of unintended pregnancies and neonaticide in an effort to be preventative. A curriculum guide for health educators will give teenagers the opportunity to learn and discuss matters regarding sexuality and the issues surrounding it to prevent problems associated with unwanted pregnancies and neonaticide.

Sources of Data

Research included journal articles on topics surrounding teenage sexuality, pregnancy, choices regarding pregnancy resolution, unwanted pregnancies, sex education and academic analysis and media (newspapers, magazines, books) accounts of neonaticide provided the background information for the project. Past sex education curriculum was reviewed to understand how sex educators presented difficult topics.

Conclusions Reached

Teenagers continue to lack knowledge regarding contraception usage and options available for unintended pregnancies. Teenage fathers are not learning responsibility in regards to making choices about their partner's pregnancy. Teenage mothers often feel like they do not have any alternatives to their pregnancies and frequently lack the necessary support to make those decisions. Communication through education is the key to preventing the problems associated with unintended pregnancies and neonaticide. A more comprehensive sex education can aid teenagers in learning how and where to get birth control, facilitate communication skills with parents, present choices regarding unwanted pregnancies, provide information regarding pregnancy and neonaticide in an effort o prevent unwanted babies and abandonment. Schools need to provide this knowledge in order for teenagers to make informed choices regarding their sexuality.