OPINION | Denormalizing early pregnancy
By: Barbara Donato
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the mundane lives, the normalcy. Schools are operating but lack quality education. Maybe the new model of education is education for the privileged, but no room to think; if there is, resources are still necessary. Students are burdened with heavy academic loads only to complete these requirements and not to gain an understanding of their education. As they cope with the problems of education, they are highly vulnerable to unchecked decisions.
There is no room with resources accessible to anyone on the brink of terrible, forced decisions. Without supervision, children and teenagers that are stuck at home may explore their sexuality. Early pregnancy is at the high point of this quarantine; young people are likely to subdue to uneducated sex. Furthermore, they are much at risk of staying with their abusers at home confined with their predators.
The Philippines is still on par with other countries when it comes to handling the pandemic. In relation, education today is very expensive; from procuring gadgets to sustaining load, students no longer prioritize education. For this reason, there is an option to undergo early pregnancy. One clear example is Rex, a former high school student from Manila, who got pregnant while she’s in high school. At that time, sex education was not accessible that they have to rely on the sex experiences of their peers. Now, they have to fight whatever it takes to give their child a decent life. This also means giving up their college dreams and spontaneous tendencies. Even so, they consider their child as a “blessing in disguise”.
Religious norms such as “save the baby; it is a gift” do not tail off early pregnancies. It must be noted that babies who are a product of rape would be miserable for the mother to nurture. Babies that are born at the comfort of the street just to avoid “divine punishment” are already arduous retribution to both the baby and the mother. It is not the issue of “resiliency” but the reality that not all have the privilege to sacrifice, get a job, and have emotional strength. Considering the looming pandemic, it is hard to support the development of a child empty-handed.
Having a child is not just about love; Parents are responsible for their development
Bearing a child is a responsibility. It is a collective responsibility of the parents and the state.
Love alone is not a justification to make a child. For Aez, a Senior High School graduate from Manila, “Hindi sapat ang mahal nyo lang ang isa’t isa para sa pagbuo ng pamilya.” Having a child is compounded with strong mental, social, and economic preparation. Stomach butterflies won’t save a baby in need of milk. Parental roles aren’t young people’s business. A young person is incapable of making such decisions, much more to decide for someone else’s sake.
Without plans but to alter community quarantine classifications in the country, these young people are very much vulnerable to undergo unprotected sex. Aez has agreed that due to the prolonged lockdown brought about by the pandemic, young people would highly undergo sex. “Doon kasi nagka[ka]roon ng mas maraming oras ang mag-asawa,” she said.
As much as a child is a responsibility of their parents, the government also must provide basic social services such as medical care and financial amelioration. The state has all the power to make healthcare, [sexual] education, and social services accessible to the people. One of its primary roles is to support parents by making their civil and legal rights attainable.
Early pregnancy could be avoided with Sex Education
Sex is not wrong, but engaging in one without protection carries a much bigger problem. Sexual discourses are often not discussed in this country’s conservative climate. It fends off young people from learning sex-related discussions from
adults. Not surprisingly, the current education system is yet to install a curriculum that teaches sex education. As of this writing, there are non-existing laws preventing the rising cases of early pregnancy in the country.
With a lack of sexual education from formal institutions, children and teenagers substitute pornography as means to explore their sexuality. Pornography is not an alternative to sex education 一 it sends the wrong message to these young people given that women’s bodies are treated as sexual objects. Sexual education does not mean objectification; pornography is not an avenue these young people could learn about their sexuality.
Early pregnancy should not be the norm. The norm should be the state exhausting all its effort to stop the alarming cases of early pregnancy by providing a room where children and teenagers can address their sexual curiosity. Young people enjoying spontaneous adventures with their peers is what should be expected. The standard convention should be the members of the society coming together to give these young children a convenient life to live with. It starts with breaking the taboo of sexual discourses, and the rest will follow through.
*All names are pseudonyms to protect the identity of the interviewed person.
