Teenage pregnancy is a reality. We are living in a world where it is still believed that boys can be sexually aggressive and it is the duty of the girls to resist sexual advances. Teens are exposed to an environment where drugs, violence, sex, money and peer pressures are an ever-present force that affects both their behavior and perception of life. Today's teens are more protected and sheltered from the consequences of their behavior than ever before.

Abstinence is the most effective contraceptive. Teenagers should learn to show affection and love in many of the non-sexual expressions and not involve in sexual activity. Pressurizing or forcing anyone into sexual intercourse is not acceptable. It does not show love or respect. It only shows how selfish, exploitative and disrespectful the person is. Teenagers should avoid high-risk situations like being alone in someone else's house or car. Youngsters should learn to say, "There is no doubt that I love you. But I am not ready for the kind of intimacy you are expecting. If you really love me, respect my feelings." A true friend would definitely respect their feelings.

There are some youngsters who feel that they are entitled to experience everything under the sun, irrespective of the high risk involved. These are individuals who experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco and also with multiple partners.

Then there is another group of young adults who believe that everyone else around them are sexually active but are not becoming pregnant or not suffering from AIDS. "Why should I alone deprive myself?" But in reality, they are in the midst of friends who are in a fantasy world.

The attitudes of teens and young adults toward premarital and casual sex have become more conservative -- most likely due to increased fear of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and especially AIDS. At the same time, a gender gap exists between the attitudes of young men and women about sex: more men than women believe that casual sex is acceptable, and most girls and boys agree that girls have sex because the boys want it.

What's perhaps even worse than the dangerous opportunities teen girls are at risk for is the fact that most of them will not talk to their parents about these dangers they face. No matter how good your communication is with your daughter, there are things she will not and cannot tell you, things she needs desperately to tell someone. The answer to this problem is being your daughter's best friend.

Both teens and adults believe good communication between parents and children can help prevent teen pregnancy. Mnay say that having parents who don't give enough love, attention, and supervision or don't teach morals increases the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Both teens and adults believe that the media plays a role in teen pregnancy.

For many parents finding out that their son or daughter has been struggling with teen drug abuse is a catastrophic revelation. Thoughts of failure, disappointment, guilt, and embarrassment flood a parents mind. However, you must remember that you are not the only parent to face such a situation. And more importantly, many families have overcome teen drug abuse in the past.

If you suspect there is a problem, ask your teen about what is bothering him or her. And then don't be afraid to ask for help. Many resources are listed here

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.com/

http://www.troubledteensguide.com/

http://www.troubledteenministries.com

They can be of great help. They are user-friendly guide for professionals who supervise, manage, teach, or treat teenagers who get into trouble.