The Voice of Southwest Louisiana May 2018 Issue

SWLA health, wealth & wellness Inform, Educate, Empower
Girl
Talk!
teen
pregnancy
By Emily Ashworth RN, BSN
The relationships I shared with my
mother and grandmother while
growing up is one that I always
will cherish. We had long talks about the
future that were vital to my emotional
and spiritual growth and development.
My teenage years were quite difficult
and stands out as my most challenging
journey in life. My curiosity about the
opposite sex was very distracting at times
but my parents and grandmother always
kept me on track.
For example, I remember how the girls
would gather in the kitchen for family
gatherings at grandmother’s house.
We enjoyed listening to our older cousins
talk about dating and other things that
teenage girls talked about. We asked our
grandmother about having a boyfriend
and dating. I remember her telling us
that we needed to ‘get our school work
and not worry about boys.’ She made us
laugh by telling us how my grandfather
pursued her as a young teenage girl. In
these sessions, we learned that life does
not always turn out the way we imagine
it, but we must enjoy and make the
most of where we are. In other words,
find the blessings “in the midst of the
mess!” We learned from them to remain
focused and prayerful which helped us
avoid distractions that delayed us from
reaching our goal in life.
Today’s teenagers are faced with way
more distractions than a group of
cousins talking at a family gathering in
grandmother’s kitchen. This digital age
of social media, internet, mobile devices,
etc., gives teens quick and easy access to
all types of information. This information
may possibly be beyond their years and
understanding and lead their curiosity
about the opposite sex into fulfilling their
sexual desires. Contracting a sexually
transmitted disease, infection and/or
teen pregnancy may possibly be a direct
result.
Visit Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to access information that
educates parents and teens about teen
pregnancy and more. https://www.cdc.
gov/teenpregnancy/teens/
It is essential for fathers, mothers,
aunts, grandparents, sisters, brothers
and mature friends to set aside time
and talk to our teens about abstinence,
sex, teen pregnancy, etc. Talk! Talk!
Talk about everything in case they
decide not to remain abstinent. These
conversations can take place while
cooking a meal together, sitting together
at family gatherings, choose to watch
a movie that prompts conversations
about sex, plan shopping trips for
beautiful undergarments for them,
playing basketball, etc. Make “girl time
and boy time” that steer our teenagers in
a direction that focus on building their
future, promote self-development and
strengthen their spiritual and emotional
self in preparation for adulthood. Be their
information source.
I pray healthy dialogue takes place
between you and your teenager(s).
You are blessed to have them in your life,
though at times it does not feel like it.
LOL! A shift in their thinking that helps
them focus on what is essential to their
growth and development can occur at
any time. Many blessings to you and
your family.
Be well!
Volume 5 • Number 10 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM May 2018 7