What can be done to this
problem?
1) I suggest hospitals to take the details of the girl n boy when
the girl go for abortion n forward the details to AWARE.
2) Schools to organise yearly pregnency checks on the girls to be
conducted by polyclinics which will sent them for counselling by
qualified counseller. So schools will not know, saving the pregnent
girls some embarrassment.
3) Sex education by female doctors for the girls on avoiding
underage sex.
4) Sex education by the male doctors for the guys on avoiding
underage sex.
5) Put up laws so that the media will not promote underage sex
through their shows.
SINGAPORE : Underaged sex or having sex below 16 seems to
be getting out of hand, says the Singapore Planned Parenthood
Association.
There were 14,000 abortions last
year, of which half were by those under 20.
But is dating at a young age the problem?
Young couples may just hold hands, but should they even start to
pair up at such an early age?
"Young kids should date at about 15 to 16 because that's when they
start to get mature."
"Kids nowadays should date 18 years and above.....children younger
than 12 should not date too early because they will not find their
true love yet."
"Depends on the parents side. If they agree, 16 should be the age.
So, 16 is the day you graduate so you get some of your
freedom."
But some parents want them to start dating at a later age.[b]
One father said: "They are working, their mentality is quite
matured enough, I think it should be no problem. But they must know
what they are doing and with who they mix around."
A mother said: "I keep on telling my girls - 'please don't start
the relationships too early because you are both very young' - and
I don't think they know what is love."
And with Valentine's Day round the corner, some counsellors are
concerned that youths might just plunge deeper into their
relationships without thinking twice.
"As long they don't have sex and kiss in public, I think holding
hands should be okay."
John Vijayan, Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, said: "What
leads from hand holding, petting, kissing, you may end up with a
very early stage of sexual intercourse for which they may not know
the dangers."
The issue is not how young should couples date but more importantly
what couples do when they go out on dates.
Whether the couples are in the right frame of mind to handle
relationships and are mentally prepared for any consequences
resulting from the relationships.
John Vijayan added: "If you are going to be overcome by emotions
over this weekend, my suggestions to them is if you are not ready
for any form of intimacy, stay away, respectfully tell the other
party, 'I'm not ready, we will do it when you are ready' and if you
want to engage in something then be prepared for the
consequences."
And so, counsellors say couples can express their love in more ways
than one.....like having a meal together or watching a movie. -
CNA
