Blog

Tag Archives: respect

 Teen Mom 2: Episode 4 

This week’s episode featured Kailyn’s decision to use a different method of protection.   First off, major props to Kailyn for talking with her health care provider about the best method of protection for her.  It’s important to know that while birth control methods protect against unintended pregnancy (like the IUD that Kailyn chooses), the only method that protects against unintended pregnancy AND STDs is using condoms correctly, each and every time you have sex.   For more information about What Works and What Doesn’t to prevent unintended pregnancy, click here.

And besides taking control and bringing up using protection with her doctor, Kailyn also brought up the conversation of safe sex and preventing unintended pregnancy with Jordan too.   This Teen Mom knows how to speak up for herself- she’s firm about her decision to use protection, she wants to be responsible after already having one child, and she knows it’s important to be open and honest with Jordan.   Even though Jordan has a hard time talking about it, he eventually comes around and tells Kailyn how much he respects her for taking the lead and that he appreciates her looking out for the oth of them.   So when you think that you or your partner might not be able to handle the awkwardness of a conversation, just remember: there is nothing more awkward than silence.   For tips on how to talk to your partner about using protection, click here.

 

 Teen Mom 2: Episode 2 

Last night’s episode of Teen Mom 2 included some of the usual themes: dealing with providing for a child under tight resources, having communication in different relationship with boyfriends, parents and friends, and the pressure of trying to figure out and do what’s best for a child.  But this episode also brought to light another important issue: intimate partner violence.  Janelle and her boyfriend Kieffer have been living in her car after Janelle is kicked out of her mom’s house.   Their relationship has been tense for a while, but their situation really escalates when they get into a fight and shouting turns into physical pushing and shoving.   Even when under stress of financial troubles and relationship woes, or whatever other circumstances, it is never okay to resort to violence.   Everyone deserves to be in a safe relationship.   But unfortunately, dating abuse is on the rise, and this is an issue that’s really affecting young people.   In fact, 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.   For more of the latest facts on dating abuse, check out the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.   And to learn more about how to prevent, recognize and escape unhealthy relationships, online and off, or if you or someone you know might be experiencing sating abuse, visit LOVEISRESPECT.org.