The fact that sex is a subject that is being tackled by some schools now is a good thing because it equips young people with the knowledge regarding their bodies and the biological processes involved in reproduction. However, there are still things that pass unwritten on the teacher's blackboard: dealing with teenage pregnancy. Although it is pertinent to discuss tips on preventing pregnancy, the mere discussion of them does not suffice for people who are directly dealing with a pregnant youth.

Schools are not enough. Socialization happens at all levels, and the family is the first and most consistent resource regarding norms. A family acts like a guide: parents help their children wade through life while constantly trying to show them how to deal with contingencies dealt with by society.

Regarding teen pregnancy, here are some tips that parents might give their children. Explaining and talking things out is the best prevention of all. This includes being open about love, sex and the nature of relationships. It is useless to shield children from the realities of sex because curiosity might serve as an impetus towards potentially dangerous explorations in sex, i.e., unprotected sex and the possibility of contracting STDs.

Another useful tip towards preventing teen pregnancy is to give them options and to discourage serious relationships early on. They are still young, after all. Trying to find someone to be serious with actually limits their options for the future, especially if the relationship leads to an unplanned pregnancy.

Most importantly, parents should listen to their kids. Communication is the best armor against unplanned pregnancy: after all, when one communicates his/her fears and curiosities regarding sex, it is advantageous to the parent to educate their children about these things.

Essentially, there are only two options available to the teenager once she learns she is pregnant: either she keeps the baby or she has it aborted. Either way, there are a host of responsibilities and a lot of people to answer to once the decision is made. If the teenager opts for the latter, she can decide to raise the baby herself, with her partner, or with the help of her parents.

If neither situation is feasible, it is better that the baby is put up for adoption. A lot of childless families are eager to give a home to a baby regardless of its genealogy. After all, giving a baby a home is the best recourse. However, the mother must keep in mind that the foster parents may or may not let the child be introduced to her once it is old enough to understand heavy concepts like adoption and why some people opt to give away their flesh and blood instead of keeping them within the family.

Although guidelines on how to prevent teenage pregnancy are helpful, the real test comes when one is actually faced with the situation and is forced to choose between keeping the baby or getting an abortion.