Serious Citizens: Teenage Pregnancy - Poll 2
What would be the best way to prevent ‘accidental’ teenage
pregnancies?
43% - Tell teenagers to abstain from sexual conduct
16% - Free access to condoms for teenagers
13% - Free access to birth-control pills or implants for teenage girls
14% - Educate teenagers at school on contraceptives and family planning
14% - Avoid mentioning contraceptives as it will lead to promiscuity
In our first poll on teenage pregnancy, the majority of teen pregnancies, according to 63% of the 12,000 respondents, are the result of young people engaging in risky sexual behavior and unintentionally becoming pregnant. So, the top objective in lowering the rate of teenage pregnancy should be to prevent "accidental" pregnancies.
Based on the second poll, 43% recommend promoting abstinence to prevent teen pregnancies. Embracing abstinence acknowledges the issue and aligns with traditional culture and religious beliefs in Uganda, while contraceptives are discouraged by Christian and Muslim leaders, limiting their use.
Scientific research shows that promoting abstinence is ineffective because it withholds vital information about human sexuality. Relying on abstinence alone is inadequate and diverts from seeking effective solutions to teen pregnancy given that Uganda as a nation exhibits both a sexually active population and sexually conservative attitudes.
To address societal beliefs on teenage pregnancy, some suggest involving faith-based and customary spaces. However, these spaces often prioritize tradition over public health and child protection. Alternative views are suppressed, as authority figures fear electoral consequences. Even influential CSOs hesitate to challenge conservative leaders. Young Ugandans struggle to conform to outdated norms while living in a changing society.
43% - Tell teenagers to abstain from sexual conduct
16% - Free access to condoms for teenagers
13% - Free access to birth-control pills or implants for teenage girls
14% - Educate teenagers at school on contraceptives and family planning
14% - Avoid mentioning contraceptives as it will lead to promiscuity
In our first poll on teenage pregnancy, the majority of teen pregnancies, according to 63% of the 12,000 respondents, are the result of young people engaging in risky sexual behavior and unintentionally becoming pregnant. So, the top objective in lowering the rate of teenage pregnancy should be to prevent "accidental" pregnancies.
Based on the second poll, 43% recommend promoting abstinence to prevent teen pregnancies. Embracing abstinence acknowledges the issue and aligns with traditional culture and religious beliefs in Uganda, while contraceptives are discouraged by Christian and Muslim leaders, limiting their use.
Scientific research shows that promoting abstinence is ineffective because it withholds vital information about human sexuality. Relying on abstinence alone is inadequate and diverts from seeking effective solutions to teen pregnancy given that Uganda as a nation exhibits both a sexually active population and sexually conservative attitudes.
To address societal beliefs on teenage pregnancy, some suggest involving faith-based and customary spaces. However, these spaces often prioritize tradition over public health and child protection. Alternative views are suppressed, as authority figures fear electoral consequences. Even influential CSOs hesitate to challenge conservative leaders. Young Ugandans struggle to conform to outdated norms while living in a changing society.
