According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, every ten minutes a girl under the age of nineteen becomes pregnant in Texas. These moms are less likely to finish high school, more likely to live in poverty, and more likely to abuse cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. A hotly debated issue is how to combat the inevitable problem of teens having sex.

The two solutions offered are to teach abstinence only or to have a sex education program in public schools. But perhaps the reason neither of these approaches is significantly more effective than the other and why we still have the highest rate of teen pregnancies here in Texas is because we are forgetting who we are dealing with: hormonal teenagers. Expecting teens to take a semester course on sex education and take heed is naive considering most of what they are told to do goes in one ear and out the other. Expecting all students to not have sex if told so is also ignorant.

The duty of public school educators parents and/or spiritual leaders seem to have been confused. Sure, schools do take a stance on basic moral issues like sharing is good and violence is bad. But it is not a teacher’s place to dictate personal choices like waiting until marriage to have sex. This concept is typically backed by religious reasons like purity in virginity. Therefore, it is out of the realm of public schools.

The school’s job is to educate and prepare teenagers–be it the ability to think critically for AP exams or the knowledge of protection for potential sexual encounters. The school must educate their students about the dangers and consequences of unprotected sex, STDs and unplanned pregnancies. Instead, it is the job of parents and/or spiritual leaders to teach their personal views on sex before marriage. Teaching abstinence in schools is impractical and, on its own, not good enough. A majority of students will not get pregnant, most probably will not even have sex in high school, but those who do choose to have sex need to have the knowledge of how to keep themselves safe.

On an individual level, the likelihood of one person having sex can be assessed by parents and other adult figures. They can then provide this student with a more specific moral code regarding sex. In schools, the best course of action is to provide the most information for all students, so that regardless of what their personal views are, they can make informed choices.

Not preparing teens for the consequences of sex, we are placing them at a disadvantage. Contrary to some critics, by teaching safe sex, schools are not promoting or advocating practicing premarital sex. These students are at least aware if not fearful of the consequences and will be better prepared to make the right choices. Coupled with what they have learned at home from parents should equate to less teen pregnancies.

A change is necessary in the way we approach the issue of teen pregnancy in Texas. By both educating teens at school as well as helping them develop a personal stance on the issue at home, teens can make informed decisions about their sexual life.