TEENS
SPEAK ABOUT SEX
When it comes to teen pregnancy—why it happens and how to prevent
it—teens get tons of advice from adults. Below are the top 10
answers and opinions when teens from all over the country were asked
what they thought about sex, relationships, and pregnancy.
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Thinking "it won't happen to me" is stupid; if you don't
protect yourself, it probably will. Sex is serious. Make a plan.
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Just because you think "everyone is doing it," doesn't mean
they are. Some are, some aren't — and some are lying.
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There are a lot of good reasons to say "no, not yet." Protecting
your feelings is one of them.
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You're
in charge of your own life; don't let anyone pressure you into having
sex.
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You
can always say "no" — even if you've said "yes"
before.
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Carrying a condom is just being smart — it doesn't mean you're
pushy or easy.
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If you think birth control "ruins the mood," consider what
a pregnancy test will do to it.
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If you're drunk or high, you can't make good decisions about sex.
Don't do something you might not remember or might really regret.
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Sex
won't make him yours, and a baby won't make him stay.
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Not ready to be someone's father? It's simple: Use protection every
time or don't have sex.
Practice
safe sex . . . You CAN get pregnant the first
time; including when you are having your period, even if the boy doesn’t
ejaculate inside the vagina, if you wash immediately afterward, or
you have sex standing up.
IF
YOU ARE PREGNANT
If
you are pregnant, you have several options. Pregnancy counseling will
help you decide what the right choice is for you. This is also a time
to ask your parents for advice … they will be more understanding
than you think.
It is extremely
important that you visit a doctor as soon as you think you are pregnant.
Don’t drink alcohol, take drugs, or smoke so as to not harm
(possibly permanently) your baby. You are not alone … there
are people and agencies who will help you throughout your pregnancy
and beyond.
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Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition (305) 293-8424
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Healthy Start Lower Keys (305) 293-7515 • Middle Keys 305-289-2730
• Upper Keys 305-853-1912
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First Care (Palm Beach area, 5 locations) 24-hour hotline (877)
860-7160 Local (561) 327-7424
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Stay
in school . . .The
teen program at your Monroe County high school can help with parenting
and day care issues, call (305) 293-1400 ext. 53388.
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Free
parenting help through Healthy Families. Call (305) 293-7494.
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Need
a job? Contact So. Florida Workforce at Key West, 292-6762; Marathon
305-289-2475 and Upper Keys 305-853-3540.
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Need
clothing and school supplies? Call Just 4 Kids at (305) 292-6873
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Legal
Services. All Keys (305) 292-3566.
- See
your school counselor for college, vocational, and GED questions.
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Homeless?
Call the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition at (305) 293-9497.
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ADOPTION
Counselors
will help you through the process of adoption including medical
care and housing.
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ABORTION
& MORNING AFTER PILL
If you are under 18 you have to get a parent’s consent before
having an abortion. It should be done within the first 10 weeks of
pregnancy. Abortions are regulated by law which could change during
any Legislative session.
Planned
Parenthood (Miami) (305) 285-5535 www.plannedparenthood.org
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GETTING
MARRIED
The law states that if you are under 18 and want to get married (even
if you are pregnant) you will need to get permission from a parent
and a county judge.
BIRTH
CONTROL
Condoms, birth control pills, DepoProvera shots, and the patch are
free and confidential to teens at the Monroe Co. Health Department
Clinics.
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HIV/AIDS
and other SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
You can never tell just by looking at someone whether or not they
have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some STD’s don't
even show symptoms. REMEMBER: HIV/AIDS can kill you, STD’s such
as chlamydeous and syphilis can prevent you from having a baby in
the future, herpes and HPB are with you for life. Testing is anonymous
and confidential.
• Monroe
Co. Health Dept. Key West 305-293-7522 Key West 305-293-7523 Marathon
305-289-2708 Tavernier 305-853-3239
• AIDS Help, Inc. Key West 305-293-6169 Marathon 305-289-0055
• Key West Roosevelt Clinic 305-293-1741
• Marathon Ruth Ivins Center 305-289-2708
• Tavernier 305-853-3240
• National STD Hotline 800-227-8922
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SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, TRANSGENDERED, GAY, AND LESBIAN
It
is natural to have close relationships with friends of your own sex,
however if you feel confused, wondering if you are gay you can contact
the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in the Keys
for more information.
Key
West PFLAG (305) 292-3223 www.glcckeywest.org
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ALCOHOL
and DRUGS
Alcohol addiction is simply defined as a compulsive need for an intoxicating
liquid that is obtained from fermented grain or fruit. These liquids
include beer, wine, and other hard liquors. There are many health
problems associated with alcohol use such as brain damage, cancer,
heart disease, and diseases of the liver. Alcoholics who do not stop
drinking reduce life expectancy by 10 to 15 years.
Drug addiction
is a condition characterized by compulsive drug intake, craving, and
seeking despite negative consequences. Drug addiction has two components:
physical and psychological dependency. Physical dependency occurs
when a drug has been used habitually and the body has become accustomed
to its effects. Psychological dependency occurs when a drug has been
used habitually and the mind has become emotionally reliant on its
effects, either to elicit pleasure or relieve pain, and does not feel
capable of functioning without it.
Addiction
is a disease often requiring ongoing support through recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous (Anchors Aweigh)
Key West (305) 296-8654 Middle Keys (305) 743-3262 Upper Keys (305)
852-6186
| NEVER
DRINK AND DRIVE
Whether you are driving a car, motorcycle, scooter,
boat or riding a bicycle if you are under 21 and your
blood alcohol level is 0.02 or higher, your license
will be suspended or you will be arrested for DUI.
A
DUI conviction means you loose your license for 6 months,
be put on probation and pay a fine and court costs,
perform community service hours, go to DUI school and
possibly go to jail for up to one year.
If
you refuse the sobriety test, you will receive a 1 year
mandatory suspension of your license.
You
may also have to report the arrest on future job applications.
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DATE
RAPE DRUGS
Sexual assault is easier to commit against a victim who
is not resisting. Drugs (nicknamed Roofies, Rope, Liquid
Extacy, Liquid X, Easy Lay, ‘K’, Special K,
Vitamin K, Ket, and Scoop) are used to cause the victim
to be incapacitated, unable to fight back or, in many
cases, unable to even remember that an assault occurred.
Date rape drugs often work quickly and are difficult to
spot because they have no smell, taste, texture, or color.
They come in liquid, powder, and pill forms that can easily
be added to drinks, especially alcoholic, without your
knowledge. The drugs cause the victim to become ill, disoriented,
very sleepy and unable to move or think clearly.
Protect yourself by using the buddy system with friends
you know and trust. Watch out for each other, don’t
go home with someone you don’t know, don’t
accept drinks where there are strangers (get your own
drink), don’t drink a drink that has been unattended
(always get a new drink) or from a punch bowl and if someone
is “kidding” about date rape drugs consider
that to be a warning. |
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PAY
ATTENTION!
For more information contact the National Women’s Health Information
Center at 800-994-9662.
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SMOKING
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as using smokeless tobacco
are known killers. It is an expensive, addictive habit. The best thing
is to not start, but if you have and want to quit there are a number
of successful approaches available. The legal age for smoking is 18.
If you are under 18 you could be fined, serve community service hours
or possibly loose your driver’s license for repeat offenses.
EATING
DISORDERS
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating include
extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food
issues. Living in our culture, there is pressure to look a certain
way to be happy. However, proper nutrition and exercise is essential
for good health, which will ultimately give you the weight and body
image you desire.
National
Eating Disorders Association 800-931-2237 www.edap.org
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PIERCINGS
AND TATTOOS
Tattooing is a trend that has been “in style” for years,
but like most things it has its dangers. Some of the risks with tattooing
are HIV, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B. It is extremely important
to get a tattoo with sterile equipment and by an artist who has met
local and state health regulations.
Remember that
tattoos are considered permanent. To remove it is very expensive,
much more than getting a tattoo, takes many painful sessions with
varying results and leaves scars. Complications due to piercing depend
on the body part pierced; infections, extreme swelling, and healing
problems. In the case of nipple piercing, milk ducts can be damaged
possibly keeping you from breast feeding in the future. The tongue
is a strong muscle, piercing can result in permanent damage causing
speech impairment, eating difficulties, numbness, altered taste sensation,
and increased salivary production causing drooling. Before getting
a tattoo or piercing do your research.
Tattoo
and Piercing Safety Checklist www.tattoo.about.com
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ABUSE
Abuse can take many forms—physical, sexual, emotional, verbal,
even neglect or a combination of all. First, remember that it is not
your fault. Next, get help, keeping it a secret doesn’t protect
you from being abused it only makes it more likely that the abuse will
continue.
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HELPLINE (305) 296-HELP (4357)
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Florida Abuse hotline (800) 962-2873
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Child Help USA (800) 422-4453
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INTERNET
SAFETY
While your knowledge of the internet probably far surpasses that of
your parents, you still need to be cautious.
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Be careful about posting photos that are identity-revealing or sexually
provocative. Unless you are prepared to have that information attached
to your college/job/ internship/scholarship application—don’t
post it! Once something is posted, written or photo (photo backgrounds
too), you lose all control of it—forever.
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Don’t believe everything you read … that cute 16 year
old boy may not be cute, or even a boy!
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Put everything behind passwords and firewalls.
Visit
Wired Safety for more info. www.wiredsafety.org
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FREE and confidential help (no parent
consent needed)
Dealing with Social pressures, academic pressures, life pressures?
Suicidal or Depressed?
HELPLINE 296-HELP or 1-800-273-4558 Care Center—
Key West 292-6843 and Upper Keys (305) 853-3284
Thanks to Marathon High School Health Careers classes for providing
feedback on this!
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