Nongprue officials took up the government’s mantle in battling teen pregnancies, educating 50 youths on the birds & bees, and social pressure.
Thanet Phuyim, the sub-district’s deputy clerk, opened the March 11 meeting of youths and volunteers at the Social Welfare Division. Terdkiat Jamnongsilp, president of a media organization set up for social benefit, was the lead speaker, talking about gender roles and evaluating one’s sexual well-being.
The goal of the program was to attempt to “immunize” teenagers from peer and social pressures that lead to unwanted pregnancies, focusing on abstinence. Volunteers also were taught how to communicate with shy youths on the subject.
Student representatives from Wat Suttawas and Ban Nernplabwan schools attend a class about the birds & bees, and social pressure, in an attempt to avoid teen pregnancy.
Terdkiat said most youths seek information from friends, partners and their parents, with about 60 percent of teens expecting mothers and fathers to have all the answers.
He said guardians should open their mind to talk with their children to give appropriate knowledge because sex problems in youths can be handled if the parents always talk and listen to the children’s problems.
Parents should try to communicate their feelings in a positive way and don’t let fright and fear be an obstacle to communication.
Parents, he said, must start by showing concern and tell their kids what they want them to do, give options, and point to what benefits can be gained.
“If we say ‘don’t do that’ about something they are curious about, it will incite them,” Terdkiat said. “Hence, guardians must be aware and try to communicate like a friend to create intimacy to gain their trust to prevent problems, premarital pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and others.”
