Editorial:
Let’s talk about sex ; Girls not moms!
In a common household there was a woman who had a son going out with his
friends. Before leaving, the woman said jokingly “Hey wear protection!”, the son
answered, “Mom, I’m 13 years old!, I’m a kid you know that”. The woman replied
“Well just to remind you, I’m 26 years old!”.
The scene beforehand may come as comedic or laughable to most readers. But it
poses a vexing problem that affects the lives of millions especially in the Philippines.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, more than 53 million are below 25
years of age, including 10.3 million adolescent girls which ranges from 10-19 years
old. In relation, the United Nations Population’s Fund also stated that, “The teenage
mothers from the Philippines who age average from 10-17, was at 10% in 2008 and
as of 2019 it was up to 17%”. Moreover; as of 2020 according to the World Health
Organization(WHO), the Philippines’ teenage pregnancy rate “Is increasing
drastically and exponentially”. Furthermore, The country has been subjected to hold
the highest cases of teenage pregnancy in countries that belong to the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), with a staggering 187,527 births. With these being
said, the number of teenage mothers both concerns the government and the society.
We ponder, Why is this decade old problem continues to be a complication despite
all the data that we have acquired in the past few years that are more than enough to
eliminate this problem? And what are the concrete actions that are apropos to the
millennial era that the society should do to eradicate this problem?
The actions of the government regarding teenage pregnancy are indispensable for it
gives the people a sense direction towards progress concerning the said problem. In
2012, the congress enacted the “The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act of 2012” commonly known as RH law under the signatory of former
president Benigno Aquino III. This law guarantees universal access to methods of
contraception, fertility, sexual education, and maternal care. In response to this,
several fierce critics condemned the acquisition including the National Economic and
Development Authority(NEDA) that stated “this is not enough to fix the problem,
that is teenage pregnancy” and the majority of the congress proposed Hon. Sol
Aragones’ House bill no.4742 or “teenage pregnancy prevention bill” that focuses on
the government’s specific actions regarding teenage pregnancy. This contains the
provision of comprehensive sexual education to age appropriate individuals,
regulation of pornographic sites in order to separate the wrong notion of perspective
about discussing sexual issues, and the provision of social departments such as the
Commission on Population(POPCOM), Department of health(DOH), and
Department of Education(DepEd) in order to properly address the problem.
The government should act wisely and always take the welfare of the Filipinos in
whatever action they will do in response to teenage pregnancy. With this notion, the
government should consider reviewing acquisitions that directly solve the problem.
In relation to that, The “teenage pregnancy prevention bill” shows paramount
solutions that supasses the RH law that preceded it. This is clearly evident for the
provision states the roles of vital sectors in our society such as the POPCOM, DOH,
and DepEd, and how these sectors advocate and educate the Filipinos regarding the
problem that is, teenage pregnancy.
Sex education regarding teenage pregnancy is a fundamental aspect in order to fully
eradicate the problem. According to WHO, “The Philippines is one of the least
countries that has a proper dissemination of facts regarding sex education in schools
and universities” this scenario affects certain communities by the means of improper
acts of information that can often lead to unproven and unreliable data. Addition to
that, most Filipinos are not in favor of discussing these facts that will help to solve
the problem due to cultural interreligious dilemmas that are closely tied to our
prominent catholic population. This is evident by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of
the Philippines statement that says “The position of the CBCP even before is that it
(sex education) should be left to parents especially if we are talking about children
who are underage". Furthermore; sex education in schools are highly avoided in most
institutions. Sadly, the expectancy of the CBCP is disregarded for this topic is often
neglected and avoided at home which should be the first place to start discussing this
topic in order to erase the notion of being unethical but rather be educational.
Educating the Filipinos alone regarding the factors of teenage pregnancy is already
an inadequate action for the millennial era for we have been educated for decades
regarding the aspects of teenage pregnancy. Instead, we should let the education
sector to practice sex education in all universities and schools in order to provide a
deeper, a concise understanding, and a beneficial solution regarding teenage
pregnancy for this will be an idealistic action that will help to solve the problem.
Moreover; the popular phrase “education starts at home” should be applied in the
discussion of sex education in order to erase the notion it being an “unconservative
manner of topic” when the students attend schools.
In opinion, Let us Filipinos be educated properly by discussing sex education. We
should be liberated but not disrespectful in the topic of sex education. And since we
live in a millennial world, we should erase the stigma of sex education being a
malicious topic. Importantly, we should take into account the millions that are
involved in the problem of teenage pregnancy for the reason “Lack of education
regarding the Sex education”. Moreover; the government should concisely evaluate
timely acquisitions that will solve the problem of teenage pregnancy. The “teenage
pregnancy prevention bill” is the closest acquisition that we can consider as the best
tool that we can acquire to eradicate this problem for the reason that it gives concise
and cohesive steps and guidelines that will pilot the government’s actions to the full
eradication of teenage pregnancy.
We live in a modern world that is governed by technology and ethics yet, we are still
trapped in the horrendous problem of the past. The reason why the problem of
teenage pregnancy continues to be a complication despite decades of extensive
research and study, Is the insufficient and inadequate actions that both the
government and the society are performing. Moreover; The concrete solutions that
are apropos to the millennial era are the acts of being united and always putting the
welfare of the young Filipinos in mind. Furthermore; Cultural interreligious
dilemmas should be set aside in order to give effective solutions that will benefit all
Filipinos regardless of religion. With paramount importance, the just education of
the solution to the problem and the regard of legal acquisitions such as the “Teenage
pregnancy prevention bill” should be strengthened, for these united acts will surely
eradicate teenage pregnancy and ensure the welfare of the young Filipinos.
All-inclusive, teenage pregnancy is a dire issue that affects millions of Filipinos, we
have been subjected to neglect and avoid the just solutions to the problem. Sadly, this
horrifying drawback continues to be neglected, disregarded, avoided, and constantly
being set as a laughable issue.