Teachers’ expectations regarding the family, the school, the church and the mass media vis-à-vis the prevention of teen motherhood

Abstract

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. In the recent years, the birth rate among teenage girls has decreased. Although more and more teenagers, especially girls, begin their sexual lives earlier, their knowledge on contraception is usually unsatisfactory and a significant number of adolescents either do not use contraception or use unreliable contraception methods. The lack of sex education at schools leads to teenage students' lacking knowledge and support in this matter. Material and methods. The tool applied in the research was a previously prepared survey questionnaire entitled Teachers' and class tutors' opinions on teen motherhood serving as the research tool. Results. The interviewees are convinced that in order to prevent pregnancies among adolescent girls, teenagers should be treated individually and provided with reliable knowledge and support. On the other hand, the respondents deem recommendable to warn teenagers of negative consequences that having sex brings and of stigmatisation the sexually active and pregnant girls face. Moreover, the interviewed teachers find it appropriate to promote only sympto-thermal contraception methods. Conclusions. The inconsistency and high restrictiveness in teachers' opinions affect their involvement in teenagers' sex education and their support towards pregnant students and underage mothers.