Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy

In the neighborhood, you might hear this:

“Hoi, ang anak ni Juan ba napamabdosan sa uyab. Bata pa ra ba kayo. Wala katiwas ug skwela, gipa-undang sa ginikanan kay nagbinuang man. Maayo nang pa-undangon.”

According to the United Nation Population Fund Agency, as of 2012, teenage pregnancy in the Philippines increased by 70% over the past decade. In a society that values the FAMILY more than anything else, isn’t this very alarming? Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, My name is Leile Glad Manalo and this afternoon I will be talking of television as a factor contributing to the increasing number of teens engaging in pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancies in our society today.

Media is may be the most influential organ in our society today. Television was supposed to give us information about what is going on in our society and overseas. It was supposed to educate young viewers with science, technology and history. But what was given importance in our television shows nowadays, teenagers, who are too young to even fend for themselves without the guidance of their parents, portraying the heated “love and emotion” felt by the characters in the drama enough to conquer all odds and defy society’s norm, teaching young children that love can conquer all odds in life. I am not saying that I don’t enjoy these shows, Daniel Padilla is really handsome, but I just want to say, why not evaluate these shows and ponder on WHAT ARE THE VALUES PORTRAYED IN THE SHOW, RIGHT? After all couples who engage in pre-marital sex always think that their love for each other is enough to conquer and face all the challenges in life.

WE SHOULD FACE THIS PROBLEM NOT WITH BEING JUDGEMENTAL TO THE VICTIMS BUT THROUGH ACCEPTANCE AND PREVENT IT FROM PENETRATING DEEPER IN OUR SOCIETY THROUGH EDUCATION AND REFORM.