Think before you play

By: Sierra Holter

You CAN'T get pregnant if you have sex standing up.

You CAN'T get pregnant if you're on your period.

You CAN'T get pregnant if you do jumping jacks after you have sex.

Only cheating girls and guys get STDs.

Two condoms are better than one.

ALL these statements are false. 2,800 teens every day are get pregnant and one in every four sexually active teen will get an STD. We're told that "No sex, is safe sex", the reality is that many teens are having sex and have the right to know how to protect themselves. Although abstinence is the only 100% way to not get pregnant or an STD, condoms and birth control are alternatives. Latex condoms are designed to prevent against STDs and pregnancy while, non-latex are designed to protect more against pregnancy; either way, they both protect your health. Some teens think that sex isn't a big deal, but with the amount of teenagers becoming pregnant and contracting STDs, it is a big deal and we should all be educated. Don't let yourself become a statistic respect yourself and protect yourself. Remember it's your sex life, and, ultimately, your future.

The rise in teen pregnancy this last year has shown obvious neglect of contraceptive use at our school. You couldn't walk down the halls and not see at least one pregnant teen. I know two teen moms and they both have said that taking care of a kid and going to school are two of the hardest things to balance. "High school is hard enough, and once you add a baby it becomes ten times harder," says Brenda Martinez, a 16 year-old mom. The fact is that teen moms are less likely to go back to school once their child is born. With the economy as bad as it is right now, everyone needs a high school diploma to make ends meet.

With that said, if you are in a relationship in which you are having sex, make sure you're using protection every time. There is no such thing as safe sex, there is only safer sex and everyone can benefit from that. Don't believe the hype - not EVERYONE is doing it - and as said before abstinence is the only 100%, risk free way to prevent pregnancy and the spread of STDs. Think before you play.