400 Youths Combat Teen Pregnancy in Thailand

               Last October 2017, Chanchira participated in a training program to Combat Teen Pregnancy Program for parents with other four parents. After completed the course, it made them understand more of how to communicate with children about sex, which is neither a prohibited thing nor a dirty subject that needs to cover up. It is necessary that parents talk to their children in a nice way. They should not blame their children or use dirty words. It is a natural thing. Parents should teach children to protect themselves, avoid risk behaviors leading to a sexual intercourse as well as how to anticipate unsafe situations, which nowadays, we can see news about people with bad behaviors every day, especially rape and kill. Even people who love each other also kill each other. Therefore, it is necessary to talk to children to help them understand. There is no need to wait until they grow up. Actually, a sex subject can be discussed whenever they are ready or ask, and then you can tell them with simple explanation.

               "If adults only think that teaching how to prevent pregnancy is like encouraging them to have sex, we will see many more abortions or many old folks raising their grandchildren everywhere. It is better to educate children rather than letting them find their own ways. At least, we know that they are aware of their own paths. We cannot be with them all the time or forever. If our kids or children in the village run into the problem, they can manage to resolve by themselves. If they want to have sex, they should be warned of the consequences that follow. Whether it is pregnant, disease, education problems, if they are not ready, they can make the right decision. When the student leaders engage in the activity, we Parental network leaders also talk to the parents in order to ensure that everyone understand both sides of the issue. Some parents had some difficulties understanding that and did not want to hear about it, but we try to talk about it in service zone meetings. At least, when they have problems, they can easily talk to us. We do not want to see children leaving their schools from being pregnant. We do not want to see children without any parents. We do not want to see elderly people who should be resting being burdened with the task of raising babies.”

               “The parents have currently started to understand how to talk to their children about sex. Some parents have noticed that their children might have already had sexual intercourses, and consulted with us about it since they did not know what to do. We told them to talk with their children, tell their children to protect themselves, and to realize problems that might occur in the future. It is probably hard to stop them because the parents will not be with them all the time. Some students went to school in the morning, but they did not stay there. When the school finished, they might have taken a ride with their friends. They might have sex in a sudden if they are in out-of-sight areas.” Chanchira, a Parental Network Leader talked about the ideas behind conducting the Youths Combat Teen Pregnancy Program together with student leaders at Ueat Yai Pittaya School.

               After this training, the knowledge was shared to parents in service areas, communities making merits in temples, and students in schools in the morning and after schools. Some 200 families and about 300 children in 8 communities have learned from this program. There are 5 provinces participating in this program, which are Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Mukdahan, Loei and Phayao.

Links:

• CCF Website
• CCF Facebook Page