Teenage Pregnancy In Jamaica – The Reasons Behind This Problem

Teenage Pregnancy In Jamaica – The Reasons Behind This Problem

Teen pregnancy figures in Jamaica are starting; Before the age of 20, about 20% of Jamaican women have been pregnant at least once; 48% of males aged 15-19 years do not use condoms with their regular sexual partner, while 41% do not use condoms with a non-regular partner. Jamaica’s teen pregnancy epidemic is hidden under many layers of denial, ignorance, and social and cultural misinformation.

Jamaica has experienced marginal economic growth in recent decades and what little money does come into the country is funneled only into the budget deficit. Many programs suffer, including welfare programs that would normally educate young people about sexuality and pregnancy.

Youth-friendly services in the country are extremely rare, and unless taught at home, young women are not educated on contraceptive methods that could prevent teen pregnancy. 60% of women say they do not use condoms with their regular partner and 46% say they do not use condoms with their non-regular partner. Boys say they don’t like male condoms and girls say they don’t even know about female condoms.

There is more to consider regarding the teen pregnancy epidemic in Jamaica than just social programs and budget shortfalls; Many of the people of Jamaica have cultural beliefs that contribute to the problem. Many women see motherhood as a form of status and identity and also as a way to eradicate any suspicion of infertility. Many of the Jamaican girls are receiving mixed information; culturally it seems acceptable to get pregnant, but socially the country has a strong Christian presence, which teaches abstinence.

Christian beliefs impose a sexual taboo on girls and their sexuality, contributing to a lack of readily available information. This “abstinence only” policy creates secrecy and therefore ignorance that contributes to teen pregnancy statistics; adolescents are not given information about sexuality, maturation, contraception or sexual relations. Due to the taboo, many boys and girls refuse even to buy condoms in their own communities.

Many myths are also present in Jamaican society as a result of the Christian taboo on sex and contraception. Many Jamaican girls believe that showering after having sex with Pepsi or having sex in the ocean will prevent pregnancy. Too often these myths are relied on instead of medical facts, and they contribute to the ignorance faced by teens across the country regarding teen sex and pregnancy.

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