When I was 7 ish years old, I found out I was going to be an aunt by my (at the time) 17 year old sister. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy a few weeks after she turned 18.

In a 2014 survey, it was said that teen pregnancy was at an all time low. That all time low being about 24 teen pregnancies per 1000 women between the ages of 15 and 19.

Even at such a young age, I knew my family and society wasn’t very accepting of my sister becoming a mom.  But I still loved and cared about my sister. I know that everyone needs unconditional love. And my sister really needed it now. She is a great mom. Now 27 with three kids who love her very much.

But teen pregnancy can be avoided. And it starts at home. I know many people who learned about sex from friends at a later age than necessary.  Educating your children on the risks, truths, and myths on sex is very important. Not only can unwanted pregnancies be avoided, but STDs can also be avoided.

Easy ways to have safe sex are using a condom (there is no age on the purchasing condoms), and for girls there is the birth control pills. Birth control pills also regulate periods and can decrease acne. There IS a planned parenthood near you. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions pertaining to sex that could save your life, or even someone else’s.

Most schools have a sex ed option, and some people opt out of it, purely because they don’t want to take the class. Some things are worth being learned.

I know, some people might be laughing at this article. But how would you feel if you found out you were forever responsible for a tiny person’s life, or if you were going to keep them or not. Or maybe you find out you have an incurable illness that you’ll slowly die from. These are serious situations. I’m not saying sex is bad and stay away from it. I’m saying be safe, use protection, and make sure you’re educated.