The figures for teenage being pregnant in Jamaica are startling; earlier than the age of 20, some 20% of Jamaican girls have been pregnant not less than as soon as; 48% of males 15-19 years of age don’t use condoms with their common sexual companion, whereas 41% don’t use condoms with a non-regular companion. Jamaica’s teen being pregnant epidemic is hidden beneath many layers of denial, ignorance, and social and cultural misinformation.
Jamaica has skilled marginal financial progress in current a long time and what little cash that does come into the nation is funneled solely into the funds deficit. Many packages endure, together with the social help packages that might usually educate younger individuals about sexuality and being pregnant.
Youth pleasant companies within the nation are extraordinarily uncommon, and until taught at house, younger ladies aren’t educated about contraception that might forestall teen being pregnant. 60% of females say they don’t use condoms with their common companion and 46% say they don’t use one with their non-regular companion. The boys say they do not like male condoms, and the women declare they don’t seem to be even conscious of the existence of feminine condoms.
There may be extra to think about regarding the Jamaican teenage being pregnant epidemic than simply social packages and the funds deficit; most of the individuals of Jamaica have cultural beliefs that contribute to the issue. Many ladies see motherhood as a type of standing and identification and in addition a method to eradicate any suspicion of infertility. Lots of the ladies of Jamaica are receiving combined data; culturally it appears acceptable to get pregnant, but socially the nation has a robust Christian presence, which teaches abstinence.
Christian beliefs place a sexual taboo on ladies and their sexuality, which contributes to the lack of know-how available. This “abstinence solely” coverage creates secrecy and subsequently ignorance contributing to teen being pregnant statistics; adolescents aren’t given details about sexuality, maturation, contraception, or intercourse. Due to the taboo many girls and boys refuse to even buy condoms in their very own communities.
Many myths are additionally current in Jamaican society because of the Christian taboo relating to intercourse and contraception. Many Jamaican ladies imagine that douching after intercourse with Pepsi, or participating in intercourse within the ocean will forestall being pregnant. These myths are all too usually relied upon as a substitute of the medical info, they usually contribute to the country-wide ignorance adolescents face with reference to intercourse and teenage being pregnant.
