Program Designed to Cut Teen Delinquency Also Cut Pregnancy Rate

In a surprising twist of fate, a program meant to help decrease criminal mischief amongst teenagers has also been determined to cut the teenage pregnancy rate. The study was spearheaded by David Kerr, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, and Leslie Leve and Patricia Chamberlain, both from the Oregon Social Learning Center. This study was funded by grants from both the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

There were over 160 teenaged female participants in the study between the ages of 13 and 17, all of whom had a history of criminal behavior and had been ordered to receive treatment out-of-home. The girls of the study were assigned randomly to one of two options. In one option they would run through the MTFC (Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care) program which consisted of the girls being provided one-on-one care with foster parents who had been thoroughly trained in the system. The other option consisted of the very same treatment and services they would have received without the study, which normally consisted of being treated in a facility that provided group care.

Kerr feels that the results were staggering. Of those girls who participated in the regular group care, approximately 47% of them became pregnant compared to just over 25% of those teenaged girls who ran through the MTFC program. Kerr stated, “These girls are extremely compromised. They are not doing well. They have had a hard time in different areas, including criminal behavior, drugs and risky sexual activity. Many of them had already been pregnant before the time of the intervention.” Kerr goes on to state that despite the fact that, overall, the teenage pregnancy rate has declined in the past few years, the U.S. still ranks high when compared to other similar nations. On top of that, teenaged girls in the foster care system have an even higher pregnancy rate, and almost never buy condoms. In one recent survey, it was suggested that in three U.S. states, close to 50% of the girls within the foster care system had become pregnant at least once by the time they reached 19 years of age.

The mission of the MTFC program is to place these at-risk teenaged girls in foster parent homes that are very supervised and trained in ways to work better with youngsters considered at-risk. These foster parents were also allowed frequent consultations and a support system to help in their quest to provide excellent care. Kerr states, “One of the most interesting aspects of this research is that the MTFC program was created to reduce crime, not pregnancy. It specifically targeted changing the girl’s environment: her home, her peers and her school experience. The focus was on giving her lots of supervision, support for responsible behavior, and consistent, non-harsh consequences for negative behavior. And this worked to reduce pregnancy rates.”

Kerr states that for the study, each teenage girl and her foster parent/s were given interviews both one and two years into the study. Of those participants in the MTFC program, there was a noticeable reduction in criminal behavior and teenage pregnancy cases, as well as an increase in school involvement.

Fathers’ Increased Supervision Affects Teens Risky Sexual Behavior

This morning when I was reading the local newspaper, I crossed a piece about a child who was taken into state custody after it was alleged that her mother had injured her. One of the people who commented on the piece asked where the young child’s father was in all of this and then listed a series of astonishing statistics concerning fatherless homes; children from fatherless homes are 32 times more likely to become runaways, 9 times more likely to drop out of school, 10 times more likely to abuse drugs and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. A few weeks ago in Sunday School, our teacher also mentioned that children whose fathers went to church with them every Sunday were twice as likely to continue the practice throughout their own lives and throughout the lives of their own children. Where many times fathers tend to get put on the back burners when talks of children and their upbringing come up, the facts show that fathers are especially impactful in the raising of their children. A new study stemming from combined resources at Harvard University, Boston College and the University of Pittsburgh shows that fathers step up their efforts to supervise their children when they discover their children have engaged in risky sexual behavior.

This recent study had over 3,000 teenaged participants between the ages of 13 and 18 and followed them for a span of four years. These participants came from a larger survey called the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth which serves to sample American teenagers. In this recent study, the teenage participants answered questions on how informed their parents were of their friends and their activities. If the teenage participant was age 14 or older, the survey also included questions on sexual behavior, including how often they engage in sexual activity, how many partners they have and whether or not they used contraceptives like condoms to protect themselves.

Findings from the study show that mothers and fathers react differently concerning the sexual behavior of their child/children. This study showed that when parents found out their child was experimenting with sexual behavior deemed risky, fathers, in particular, became more involved in their child’s life and strove to inquire and learn more about the activities and friends of their child. These results are much different than previous research efforts which suggest that parents become hostile and less involved in their child’s life upon finding out their child has engaged in sexual activities.

For those of you who participate in frequent family activities, bravo! Results from this study also show that children who are involved in various family activities are more shielded from engaging in risky sexual behavior. Some examples include teenagers who regularly eat dinner together with their families and those who participate in fun family projects/activities. Rebekah Levine Coley, the lead author of the study, states, “This research highlights the complex interplay of relationships between parents and their adolescent children. Given the notably negative potential repercussions of risky sexual activity during adolescence, this study can inform efforts to increase parents’ oversight of and active engagement with their teenage children.”

Review : Astroglide Personal Lubricant

The Astroglide Personal Lubricant is perhaps the most famous brand-name lubricant that is used the world over. It is manufactured by a Californian company that goes by the name of BioFilm Inc. The lubricant has been popular not just in the consumer market but also has some kind of culture built around it with celebrities and entertainers having spoken in their performances about it.

Everything about the Astroglide Personal Lubricant is quite slick. The shape of the bottle is quite unique and has that curvy runny shape which women associate with the product. The liquid itself is clear, but the bottle is purple in color. However, recently an strawberry version of Astroglide has hit the store shelves; Astroglide Strawberry. This version is meant for women who are looking for a strawberry taste, which the traditional Astroglide was not known for.

The lubricant is not oil-based like some lubricants in the market are; it is water-based. Due to this, the lubricant is recommended for more women than any other. The lubricant doesn’t dry out. Most lubricants do that over long periods of time. However, the Astroglide Personal Lubricant stays slick for a long while. Because of the absence of oil content in it, the lubricant is quite smooth too. It is not greasy or sticky like oil- or gel-based lubricants.

When applied, most women get a feeling of velvety smoothness. The lubricant reduces any uncomfortable friction that is associated with sexual activities, making sex more comfortable and enjoyable. From the point of view of the men too, Astroglide is a winner. The lubricant does not feel sticky or messy to them and because it is made with a water-based formulation, the lubricant appears and feels like the woman’s own natural lubrication to the man. Thus, using this compound can heighten the sexual pleasure for both the participating partners.

The best thing about this product that you will find in most Astroglide reviews is that women vouch for its long-lasting nature. Women say how this product, which looks no different than water, can last for a long time without any problems. To add to that, the feel that Astroglide gives is something that is the full money’s worth.

However, you must remember that Astroglide is not a prescription product in any way, though your physician might recommend it to you for some kinds of problems. There are no health claims from Astroglide whatsoever, but it does contain a slightly acidic nature which is detrimental for the growth of yeast. However, Astroglide does not and is not meant to protect the user from any kinds of infections.

It is very easy to obtain the Astroglide Personal Lubricant because it is available almost everywhere. Your local pharmacy will have a supply of it, and it is also very easily available online. Try it today!