Table of Contents
The Facts................................................................................1
Why It Matters.........................................................................3
What the Educators Say..........................................................7
What the Students Say............................................................9
Overview of the Options........................................................11
Presentation Slides and Notes...............................................13
Handouts for Presentation.....................................................53
Lesson Plans for Teachers.....................................................61
References for Statistics........................................................85
Contact Information...............................................................89
The Facts
750,000 teens become pregnant each year
Over 80 girls 19 and under every hour of the day find out they are pregnant
Less than 1% choose adoption
14% have a miscarriage
7,500
105,000
27% have teen abortions
202,500
59% become new teen mothers
Teen childbearing cost US taxpayers over
10.9
442,500
billion each year
Given proper and accurate information regarding the option of adoption, teens are 7
to choose adoption for their child
The children parented by teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty
times more likely
(80%), grow up without a father
(95%)
, drop out of high school, experience teen pregnancy themselves and are three times more likely
to be incarcerated.
Over
63% of high school seniors have had sexual intercourse
1st increase in teen pregnancy 2005-2006 in 15 years
About 40% of teen mothers graduate from high school and
mothers have a college degree by age 30
60% do not & less than 2% of teen
1
Why It Matters
Educating Teens about Unplanned Pregnancy
“When children have children, their opportunities are diminished right from the start, and the
future is often one of poverty.”
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Thank you for taking the first step toward education about teen and unplanned pregnancy. This
topic is one that must be discussed in homes, schools, and churches all over this country. The
latest statistics show the first increase in teen pregnancies in 15 years. Teen pregnancy is closely
associated with many other critical social issues --- poverty, poor education, fatherlessness, child
welfare, foster care, substance abuse, and incarceration just to name a few. The national cost to
taxpayers for teen pregnancy and parenting is $10.9 billion dollars a year! The monetary costs are
staggering but the damage done emotionally, socially, psychologically, and physically cannot be
calculated. Data from all sources reveal the astronomical cost a child pays growing up in a home
parented by a single, teen mom.
Decisions, Choices and Options is an educational program designed to reveal the facts, dispel myths
and communicate the consequences of teen pregnancy to the very audience most affected: high
school students. According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, 76.2% of all states provide
funding for staff development on pregnancy prevention to school personnel. Also, 81.6% of all high
schools require teaching on pregnancy prevention with the number of hours devoted to this subject
almost doubling in the last 2 years. Decisions, Choices and Options fits perfectly in the curriculum of
the Health and Wellness program area as most Health Education teachers are the ones responsible
for teaching sexuality and reproductive issues. Abstinence is the basic core belief of this program and
seeks to impart the value of remaining sexually abstinent until marriage. The consequences of not
choosing abstinence are clearly and powerfully demonstrated throughout this program as the heart
wrenching decisions facing an unplanned pregnancy are uncovered. This is the most difficult and lifealtering decision a teen may ever make. Unfortunately, most teens have not been educated about the
options they face in an unplanned pregnancy. Most have seen movies or watched a television show
about teen pregnancy. They have been exposed to the mechanics of sexuality and reproduction. But
they have not “walked through” the gut-wrenching options facing a pregnant student. Do she and
the biological father know everything necessary about parenting? Do they know all of the facts about
abortion? Do they know anything at all about adoption? The answer from thousands of students
participating in this program is NO!
We hope you will find the following information about Decisions, Choices and Options beneficial to
your understanding of the current crisis in the high schools, homes, and churches of our nation.
Education is desperately needed to dispel myths and correct outdated stereotypes of the options
facing teens and their families in an unplanned and crisis pregnancy.
Joi Wasill, Founder & Director
3
Decisions, Choices and Options is designed to be taught in either a one, two or three day format.
The content of the program consists of a powerpoint presentation covering the latest statistics
on teen pregnancy and the facts regarding each of the three options. It can be formatted to fit
into a block schedule class period or the standard 50-55 minute class period. The presentation
or DVD covers all of the statistical data and facts. The most moving element of the presentation
is the personal story of a teen in an unplanned pregnancy and how she was treated by her peers
and teachers at a typical American high school. She walks the audience through her life and this
incredibly hard decision. It isn’t how teen pregnancy is portrayed at the movies. Her brave and
uncommon choice to make an adoption plan for her child is candidly explained. She explains very
clearly how adoption really looks today. The stereotypes about adoption from the 1950’s, which most
high school students and many teachers state they had prior to hearing Christine’s story, disappears.
An entirely new option is unveiled, much to the surprise of the audience.
“I had no idea adoption looked like that. You totally changed my mind about that option.
(in a good way) Female student, Nashville, TN
The option of abortion is covered from a purely medical and scientific position. Opinions, beliefs and
politics are not discussed and do not have a place in this presentation. Fetal development facts are
covered, ultrasound images are used as well as actual fetal models (12-30 weeks) are passed around
the classroom. The goal is to give the students as much information as possible about this option so
that an informed and educated decision can be made which will result in long term positive outcomes
for all involved.
“52% of all mothers on welfare had their 1st child as a teen.”
Child Trends, Inc., Washington, D.C.
With over 40% of all children in the United States being born to unmarried women (2007), the topic of
teen parenting is vitally important. Most students are totally shocked to learn the statistics regarding
parenting. Everyone they know who is pregnant either chooses to parent or has an abortion. Yet few
know the long term effects of this decision on both mother and child. Once the students see how
hard each of these choices really are, many state that for the first time abstinence really does make
sense!!!
“Prevention of teen pregnancy and parenting is critical to improving not only the lives of young
women and men but also the future prospects of their children.”
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Each one of us has a responsibility to effectively communicate the truth, dispel the myths and
eliminate the stereotypes that perpetuate inaccurate information on such a serious social, emotional,
fiscal, and long-term problem: children having children. By participating in Decisions, Choices, and
Options you are taking the first step in beginning the discussion of the facts about teen pregnancy.
Thank You!
4
Linking Teen Pregnancy Prevention
to Other Critical Social Issues
March 2010
D
espite a one-third decline since the early 1990s, the
United States still has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and birth among comparable countries.1 In fact, 3 in
10 girls in this country become pregnant by age 20—over
750,000 teen pregnancies annually.2
Early pregnancy and childbearing is closely linked to a host
of other critical social issues, including poverty and income
disparity, overall child well-being, out-of-wedlock births,
and education, to name just a few. Simply put, if more
children in this country were born to parents who are ready
and able to care for them, we would see a significant reduction in a host of social problems afflicting children in the
United States, from school failure and crime to child abuse
and neglect.
What if? The teen birth rate declined by one-third between
1991 and 2002. What if it had not? What if the teen birth
rate in the United States had stayed at the 1991 level?
•
1.2 million more children would have been born to
teen mothers.
•
460,000 additional children would be living in poverty.
•
700,000 more children would be living in single
mother households.3
The decrease in the teen birth rate between 1995 and 2002
is directly responsible for:
•
26% of the decrease in the number of children under
age six living in poverty.
•
68% of the decrease in the number of children under
age six living with single mothers.4
If more children in this country were
born to parents who are ready and
able to care for them, we would see a
significant reduction in a host of social
problems afflicting children in the
United States, from school failure and
crime to child abuse and neglect.
What are the chances? What are the chances of a child
growing up in poverty if: (1) the mother gave birth as teen,
(2) the parents were unmarried when the child was born,
and (3) the mother did not receive a high school diploma or
GED.
•
27% if one of these things happen.
•
42% if two of these things happen.
•
64% if three of these things happen.
•
But, if none of these things happen, a child’s
chance of growing up in poverty is 7%.5
Put another way, if these three things happen, a child’s
chance of growing up in poverty is nine times greater than
if none of these things happen.
Public Costs. Teen childbearing is costly to the public sector—federal, state, and local governments and the taxpayers who support them.
•
Teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $9 billion
each year, including public sector health care costs,
5
What Educators
Say
“The presentations were great! Joi did an excellent job of maintaining the student’s attention. The
information presented was excellent. Everyone did a great job of answering questions presented.
You all know your stuff! I like how you included real life stories and presenters who had gone
through both processes: birth mother and adoptive families.”
Nicole Profitt, Health Educator
John Overton Comprehensive High School
Nashville, TN
“The options presented for an unplanned teen pregnancy and the factual information presented
about each of the three options definitely made an impact upon my students. I believe it will also
help prevent some unplanned pregnancies based on comments made by students during a followup discussion. Please let Ms. Bowersox know that she inspired me to use adoption in an unplanned
pregnancy as an example of “THINK WIN-WIN” when teaching Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly
Effective Teens in another course.”
Jack Morton, Health Educator
Cheatham County Central High School
Ashland City, TN
“This was an excellent presentation on a topic that needs to be discussed with every high school
student. All high schools need to incorporate this program into their health curriculum.”
Jeff Porter, Health Educator
White House High School
White House, TN
“The information presented was very informative, educational and meaningful. I hope you realize that
your time and effort will benefit many children now and in the future. Thanks!”
Kristi Brinkley, Health Educator
Beech Senior High School
Hendersonville, TN
“Thank you so much for speaking to my classes. Even after you left, discussion and interest
continued.”
Paige Hargett, Family & Consumer Science Teacher
Station Camp Senior High School
Hendersonville, TN
7
What Students
Say
“I thought it was wonderful! It really opened my eyes to a lot of things that I didn’t know about. I think
all the statistics were very effective.”
Male, Davidson Academy
“It made me think about consequences of making bad choices.”
Male, Beech High
“Thanks for talking to us! I think you shouldn’t have sex until you are married.”
Female, White House High
“The presentation provided me with a lot of information that I didn’t already know. It changed my
views on adoption (in a good way).”
Female, McGavock High
“I liked it a lot. It was good. It’s best just to stay abstinent.”
Male, Station Camp High
“Adoption isn’t bad like I thought; it is giving your child a home and putting their needs first.”
Female, Portland High
“It made me really understand adoption. I didn’t think it was like that.”
Female, Station Camp High
“So far this year (May), this has been the best and most informational presentation that I have seen.”
Female, Station Camp High
“It was very good to know the options and have a better understanding of what people go
through…”
Female, Nashville School of
The Arts
“It was very educational and it makes you think about what will happen. I seriously learned a lot.”
Female, Cheatham County High
“This was very good. It should be shown to middle school kids. It was good to tell us this because
most of the people didn’t know about all this.”
Male, Cheatham County High
“I should avoid sex, because the consequences of getting pregnant are really hard.”
Female, West High / Morristown
I enjoyed this presentation. I wish it was a requirement for everyone to go through.”
Male, White House High
9
Choices & Options:
Statistics
Parenting...
•
75% of teen mothers are on welfare within five years after giving birth
•
Only 40% of teen mothers will graduate from high school
•
Less than 8% of teen dads marry their child’s mom
•
50% of children raised by teen mothers are referred to social service agencies
Risk to the Children:
•
Insufficient health care
•
Poverty
•
Abuse and neglect
•
School failure
•
Growing up without a father
Father Need:
•
90% of homeless and runaway children come from fatherless homes
•
Over 50% of pregnant teens come from a fatherless home
•
80% of all prisoners in the U.S. come from a fatherless home
Abortion...
•
•
•
•
•
•
Roe V. Wade legalized abortion in January of 1973.
There are about 1.2 million abortions every year in the U.S.
91.5% of abortions occur prior to 13 weeks of gestation.
Less than 17 children are adopted for every 1,000 that are aborted.
9 deaths from legal induced abortion in 2006.
Women 20-29 account for 56.9% of all abortions.
Fetal Development:
•
An unborn baby has a heart beat at 18-22 days after conception.
•
Brainwaves can be detected at 40-45 days after conception.
•
All the major body parts and organs are present at the end of 8 weeks.
When is a Human a Human?
“As soon as the 23 chromosomes carried by the sperm encounter the 23 chromosomes
carried by the ovum . . . a new human being is defined…”
-Dr. Jerome Lejeune, Geneticist
Adoption...
•
2 million couples are waiting to adopt an infant.
•
Birthparents are involved in the entire process.
•
Less than 1% of all crisis pregnancies result in an adoption plan.
•
Teens are 7 times more likely to choose adoption after receiving proper & accurate information.
Comments from a birthmother:
“I will always miss and love my son, but I know he is meant to be with wonderful parents. I wouldn’t ask for
anything different. I’m so glad that God placed him in the arms of such loving people. “
-21 Year old Birthmother
Positive Adoption Language:
Don’t Say: Instead Say:
Keep the baby Parent the child
Give up/Put up Make an adoption plan
Real/Natural Parent Birth/Biological Parents
11
Presentation
Notes
SLIDE 1
Sometimes we have to study some tough subjects in order to prepare you to make good, healthy decisions. Today
we are going to look at the subject of Teen Pregnancy and all of the decisions that have to be made, as well as the
consequences of those choices. If you are a teenager, you probably know someone who has been in this situation. It is
a very difficult position to be in for everyone involved. The Decisions, Choices and Options program is going to give
you the facts about each of the options so that if you or someone you care about is faced with a teen pregnancy, you
can have the knowledge to make a wise and informed decision. It is very important that you listen carefully as these
decisions involve consequences that are life-long, life-altering and impact our entire nation.
*Important: Please click “OK” when the PowerPoint opens up to the Security Alert message. If you don’t, the
embedded videos won’t play!
13
SLIDE 2
It is our hope and desire that each of you are choosing to be sexually abstinent. If you choose abstinence, then you
will not be personally involved with making any of these very hard decisions. So---- why should you care about all of
this?
The statistics in this program reveal that teen parenting effects our whole nation. And if you have a friend who
is experiencing a crisis, unplanned pregnancy, she needs for you to know the facts. She needs your support and
encouragement to be based on the reality of the choices – not the tv image or some fairy tale. If you know the truth,
you can help her as she seeks the truth in making the hardest decision of her life!
ASK: Who can tell me what is the #1 birth control method that will prevent pregnancy?
ANSWER: Abstinence!! If you are not having sex, you will not get pregnant. Pregnancy is not the only consequence
prevented by abstinence. The Center for Disease Control in March of 2008 released the latest statistics on teens and
STD’s. They found that 1 In 4 sexually active teens are ALREADY infected with an STD. Some of those teens were
using condoms, some weren’t. If you are a sexually active teen, you have a greater than 25% chance of being infected.
Let’s look at a chart from the CDC and see just how exposed you are to contracting an STD.
14
SLIDE 3
This is the Sexual Exposure Chart from the CDC. The number on the left shows how many sexual partners you’ve had
and the number on the right shows how many people you have actually been exposed to. This chart assumes that each
of your partners have had the same number of partners that you have had. Let’s say that I take a cup and start on one
side of the room and ask each of you to spit in the cup, pass the cup to every student asking each one to spit in the cup.
When the cup reaches the last student, I ask them to drink from the cup! GROSS??? What is the difference in that and
in this chart? Bodily fluid is bodily fluid.
Once again, abstinence is the ONLY proven method for prevention of STD’s and Teen pregnancy.
“6 out of 10 teens who have had sex wish they had waited” - National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
“When you have sex with a person, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last 10
years.” - C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General
15
SLIDE 4
Oxytocin is a powerful boding and trust-building hormone. When we hug or kiss someone, oxytocin levels drive up.
The hormone is greatly stimulated during sex, birth, and breast feeding. A connection is very similar to the special
bond formed to a mother and child while breast-feeding. Can you imagine how special this bond is once developed?!?
16
SLIDE 5
This is a short period of your life where you have less responsibilities, no bills to pay, more free time to spend as you
wish, and the focus can be on you! Hanging out with friends, school activities & leisure time is more now than it will
ever be again in your life! Enjoy this time!
17
SLIDE 6
Teens who become parents face a very different life. They are no longer able to be teenagers. Everything changes! You
probably know someone who became pregnant during their teen years. Raise your hands if you know someone who
got pregnant as a teen. Ask them to hold their hands up high, wait for a moment as you look around the room and they
can look around the room. If you want to be a good friend to someone who is faced with this teen crisis, please listen
carefully to this information. Your friend needs you. We’re going to give you the facts that will help sort through each
of the choices, evaluate them and come to a decision they can live with.
18
SLIDE 7
Ask the students these questions!
When the students tell you the options, normally someone will say, “Keep the baby” and/or “Put the baby up for
adoption”. Here we correct their language and tell them that we don’t word it that way. We will learn why in just a
moment but the proper term for those options is “Parenting” or “Choosing adoption”.
After the students name everyone that will be effected by this decision, tell them, “Yes, all these people will be
effected immediately”, but we hope that before you leave today you will see that the decision your friend, right here,
at ___________ High School makes about a baby, is actually going to effect our entire nation.”
Students will say that to make a good decision you need support, help, and money, etc. And we tell them that while all
of those things are very important, the number one thing that a pregnant teenage girl needs to make a decision about a
baby she is carrying is FACTS!!!! She doesn’t need your opinion. If you want to be a good friend to her, just give her
the facts, and that is what we are here to give you today.
19
SLIDE 8
We are hoping that you are choosing to be abstinent, so you will never personally need this information. However,
before you graduate this high school you will probably know someone who will need this information. So take out
your pens and get ready to take notes--The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world! No other country even comes close!!
The older a teen girl is, the more likely she is to experience a pregnancy.
20
SLIDE 9
Let’s look at what each of these options REALLY looks like today!!
Option #1 is Parenting. We start with this option because this is the option that most teen girls will choose. About 55-60% will
choose to parent, 27% will choose abortion, and less than 1% will choose adoption. (The other 14% end in a miscarriage.)
80% of teen moms are on welfare within 5 years of the child’s birth. Why is this important? What kind of life can you
have if you are living on welfare? A Teen mom can’t afford soccer lessons, piano or ballet lessons on welfare. But how
does this affect you and me? Who pays for the welfare system? You and I do! If you have a job, then you pay for this
statistic. According to the federal government, teen parenting cost our nation $10.9 BILLION dollars every year. Let’s
look at the next statistic: 50% of children raised by teen moms are referred to social services agencies. What does that
mean? Some students will say “Foster care”, this MIGHT mean foster care. It means that for some reason this child
is being abused or neglected to the point that the state has to get involved. In the first statistic the taxpayers are the
ones paying the price. However, in this statistic who pays the price? The child! The child pays the price in this one.
This tells us that teen moms are not doing a very good job of parenting their children. Why do you think this is true?
Answers range from: They just aren’t ready. . . . . Too young. . . . . . . Just want to have fun . . . . . . . Etc.
Less than 8% of teen dads marry the baby’s mama.
40% of teen moms graduate from high school. So what percent do not? 60! 60% of teen moms do not graduate from
high school. Being a mom is a very hard job. How can you study for your English exam, if you’re up all night with a
sick baby? . . . . . . What kind of job can you get if you don’t have a high school diploma? . . . . You can’t even go into
the management training program at McDonalds if you don’t have a high school diploma. If the teen mom can’t get a
good job, how is she going to support herself and her child?
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SLIDE 10
Are teens ready to be parents?
The hit show on MTV, “16 & Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” began because of the increase in teen pregnancy in 2005/06. The
show was designed to give teens a “reality based” look at the lives of those who exprience a teen pregnancy. Some say it
has been good, others say it has been bad. There are other television shows about this topic: The Baby Borrowers (NBC),
The Pregnancy Pact (Lifetime), Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family) The bottom line is this – if a teen gets
pregnant, their life is headed for drastic change – change they aren’t ready for! Gone are the teen years — Hello adult life!
22
SLIDE 11
his is a video clip depicting the impact of a teen pregnancy on the boy. As you can tell, his life changes drastically after
having to physically, financially, and emotionally support the child.
23
SLIDE 12
Since the majority of teen girls choose parenting (59%), what do they need to know?
Think about all of the decisions that have to be made before a baby comes home from the hospital. Your teacher has
an activity for you to complete one day this week that will address all of these decisions and the costs associated with
parenting a child. So, if your friend chooses to parent, she needs to know what resources are available to her. The
pregnancy care center or crisis pregnancy center in your area is a great place for her to start. Their services are free
and confidential. Her most important early decision involves making healthy choices. The baby growing inside her is
taking in everything she is putting in her body. She needs to be on prenatal vitamins, stop smoking, drinking, eating
junk food 24/7, etc. She and the father of her child need to enroll in parenting classes. They need to discuss financial
needs and develop a budget. All of these things seem overwhelming and she can find help at the cpc/pcc.
At this point, bring in any additional resources available to parenting teens in your area. Refer to the resource table
where students may pick up brochures, business cards, etc. from local community resource agencies.
24
SLIDE 13
This video clip shows how a teen pregnancy affects all aspects of a teen’s life. Everything changes once you
are responsible for a child.
25
SLIDE 14
We just looked at the risk to the teen mom, now let’s look at the risk to the child.
Growing up without a father, you say “so what”, we will look at that in just a second.
For some reason, the children raised by teen mothers have a high likelihood of failing when they get into the school system.
Maybe this is because mom didn’t graduate from high school, and can’t help the child with their homework. Maybe teen
mom is working two jobs and doesn’t have time to help the child with their homework. We don’t know why this is true.
Insufficient health care and poverty: If you’re on welfare, you are relying on the government to tell you what kind of doctor
you can see and how much money is available for you to live on.
Low birth weight and prematurity: If you’re smoking, the baby’s smoking; if you’re drinking, the baby’s drinking; and if
you’re drugging, the baby’s drugging. So maybe that’s why so many children born to teen mothers have low birth weight
and prematurity. Many teen moms don’t get the proper nutrition and health care necessary to have a healthy baby.
Abuse and Neglect, over 50% of all children raised by teen moms need intervention by social services agencies. What does
this tell us?
Incarceration: If the teen mom gives birth to a little boy and parents him, that little boy is three times more likely to spend
time in jail than a boy not born to a teen mother. Why do you think this is true? Again lots of possibilities, we don’t know
exactly why.
Teen motherhood: If the teen mom gives birth to a little girl and parents her, she is very likely to become a teen mom
herself one day.
26
SLIDE 15
The quote at the top of this slide was made by a teen girl who was just weeks away from giving birth. She said, “I don’t
need a man to help me raise my baby, I can do it just fine by myself, my mom’s going to help me.” Well, girls apparently
we can’t do it all by ourselves. According to these statistics, children do need a father to grow up stable, healthy and
have positive outcomes.
90% of homeless and runaway children come from a fatherless home.
Over 50% of pregnant teenage girls come from a fatherless home. Boys in the room: tell me why this is true. “Because
dad’s not there to scare off the guys” is the typical answer. Now ask the girls in the room: tell me the REAL reason:
“Because little girls crave their daddy’s attention, and if they don’t have a dad to give it to them they will find it in a
teenage boy.”
63% of young people who take their own lives are from fatherless homes.
70% of teens in state institutions, such as drug rehab, are from fatherless homes.
And 80% of all prisoners, locked up in any prison, anywhere in this country come from a home where there was no
father present.
So girls we can say what ever we want to say about not needing a man to help us raise our children, the facts tell us
something different.
27
SLIDE 16
28
SLIDE 17
Even a man who holds the most powerful and important job in the world states that not having his father involved
in his life left a hole in him that nothing else could fill. If you are speaking in a private Christian/Parochial school or
church group, remind them of the important responsibilities placed on fathers by God.
29
SLIDE 18
Option number 2 is abortion. We are not here to discuss what you personally believe about this option. We are NOT
here to talk about the politics of this option, and we will not go there. If your friend is pregnant, she doesn’t need to
know how you feel about this option. She needs the facts, so that she can make an informed decision. Abortion is the
second most “popular” CHOICE for a teenager in a crisis pregnancy, so what does your friend NEED to know about
this option?
There are about 1.2 million abortions in the United States every year.
There have been about 50 million abortions in the U.S. since the Supreme Court decision of Roe V. Wade in January
of 1973.
For every 1000 children aborted, there are 17 placed for adoption. In a minute you will find out how many couples are
waiting to adopt a child. If every one of the women - 1.2 million - that chose abortion last year had chosen adoption
instead, there would not be one single unwanted baby. There would still be families waiting to adopt!
30
SLIDE 19
This portion of the presentation has been formed around women that have had abortions, and they say there are two
things they wish they had known prior to choosing abortion. Those two things are fetal development and how the
procedure is done.
The baby, or fetus, has a heart beat at 18-22 days after conception, and brainwaves can be detected as early as 40-45
days after conception. So right around the time that your friend finds out she is pregnant, the baby already has a heart
beat and brain activity. What two things do we use to determine when a person is legally dead in this country? . . . No
heart beat and no brain waves.
Ask: What about the 18-22 days prior to the heartbeat being detected? Is there still life? Answers will vary - yes; no;
because there is no heartbeat.
Answer: Yes, there is life! As soon as the sperm meets the egg, everything was written on these two cells that said
whether that child would have green eyes or blue eyes; curly or straight hair & how tall they would be. Once those
cells meet, they begin to divide to form the heart that will beat in a few days. In a fetus that is less than 18-22 days, a
heartbeat does not mean there isn’t life – the heart has to form first.
All the major body parts and organs that you and I have right now, were present at 8 weeks of development, they just
needed time and nourishment to grow.
31
SLIDE 20
These are ultrasounds of a “fetus” at 8 and 10 weeks of development. The word “fetus” is a Latin word that means
“young one or young child, offspring”. It does not mean “non-human” or “blob or tissue”.
At this point, we pass the fetal models around the room. Hold up each one and tell the age. The 12 week fetal models
is the exact size at which most babies are aborted. Most abortions occur between 4 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The first thing that happens in some abortion facilities after the paperwork is an ultrasound. This is necessary to
determine the size and age of the fetus so that the proper procedure will be done.
Is it fair to women not to let them see these pictures?
If your friend is considering this option & she cannot get to a facility that provides free ultrasounds, then be a good
friend and Google an ultrasound picture — show her what her baby looks like at whatever stage of development she
is. This will help her make a decision she can live with.
32
SLIDE 21
In the 15 week ultrasound, we can see Kennedy’s teeth buds, her mouth and nose, her head and spinal column. Look
closely to see her little knee pulled up against her fat belly, we see her knuckles and her thumb, where is her thumb
going? . . . in her mouth. She is getting ready to suck her thumb.
These ultrasound pictures demonstrate that a little human being is in there. Also, whatever the mom is putting into her
body, is going into the baby as well. If she is drinking, smoking, or doing drugs, so is the baby.
33
SLIDE 22
This is a 4-D ultrasound of unborn babies during various stages of fetal development and growth. This video was
made by National Geographic. It clearly shows that babies do a lot of the same things inside the womb that they do
outside.
You may need to click on the slide once the blank screen comes up to get the video to begin playing. Point out the
activity that can be seen as it plays: this baby looks like it is jumping, this one is yawning, etc.
34
SLIDE 23
This is the other piece of information that women who have had abortions say they wish they had known prior to
choosing abortion. If abortion makes you not pregnant anymore, how do they get the baby out? I’m not going to show
you any gross pictures but I am going to tell you how the procedure is done.
An ultrasound may be done to determine the size/age of the fetus. Once that has been determined, the abortionist
will then dilate the cervix, (the opening of the uterus where the fetus is located) and insert a cannula, which is a long
medical instrument that looks like an oversized straw. The cannula is attached by tubing to a machine. When the
machine is turned on, suction will begin pulling through the tubing and the fetus will be dismembered and the pieces
pulled out through the tube into a collection jar/container. Once the procedure is over, someone will go through the
pieces to make sure all of the fetus is there.
In the second method, the fetus is larger and will be cut into pieces before suction begins to insure that all of it is able
to be suctioned out.
This information is not pleasant to hear, but sometimes hearing difficult information can help us make better
decisions.
35
SLIDE 24
There are two ways to have an abortion, one is a surgical method, which we have just discussed, and the other is a
chemical abortion, where a drug is taken. This is basically a do-it-yourself home abortion. The Morning After Pill or
Plan “B” is marketed as a contraceptive. Yes, it can be used as a contraceptive if you know when your last menstrual
cycle was, when you ovulated, and when you had unprotected sex. Women TRYING to get pregnant have a hard time
with the timing of all that! This pill must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex for it to work.
But let’s look at how it works – First of all, we need to go back and remind ourselves about when life begins – Ask
the students when life begins – if you have covered this with Slide 15, then they should say at conception. OK,
you have now reminded them that life begins AT CONCEPTION – Let’s now look at what Plan B does to “prevent
pregnancy”…
The drugs in Plan B work to harden the walls of the uterus. The uterus is where the baby will live and grow for 9
months if allowed. The embryo (the sperm and the egg and many more cells by that point) will travel through the
fallopian tubes to the uterus when it is ready to “plug in” to mom’s system in order to continue to be nourished and
to grow. This is when the umbilical cord is formed that will be there until the baby is born. If Plan B or the Morning
After pill is taken, the walls of the uterus have hardened, preventing the baby from attaching and continuing to grow.
If the baby cannot attach to the uterine wall, the baby will die. The body will then expel the embryo from the mother’s
body in the form of a period.
36
SLIDE 25
RU486 or the Abortion Pill is another form of a chemical abortion. RU486 can be given up to 7 weeks of pregnancy.
It is given in 3 stages, the first drug kills the baby and the second and third pill cause the woman’s uterus to begin
contracting and push the baby out.
The biggest problem with this drug is that, if it is not taken EXACTLY the way the FDA says for it to be taken, a
woman can have serious complications and possibly even die.
RU486 has only been legal for about 9 years, and already 13 women have died, 9 had life threatening
incidents, 116 required blood transfusions, and 232 hospitalizations. So your friend needs do her homework
before she takes this drug.
37
SLIDE 26
You want students to see that the reason this option is so difficult is because it involves a human life. Be very careful
to steer away from any religious or judgmental comments here. More than likely, there is someone in the room that
has chosen abortion or knows someone who has already experienced an abortion. This is the perfect time to state that
if anyone knows a person who has experienced an abortion and is having a difficult time dealing with that decision,
the pcc/cpc of your area has counseling professionals who can help them.
*The scientific world knows when life begins and it is at conception. So the conclusion to this option is that it ends a
human life.
38
SLIDE 27
This slide allows them the opportunity to see that the same reasons and desired outcomes for choosing abortion can
also be accomplished through the choice of adoption.
39
SLIDE 28
Option number 3 is adoption. This is the option that less than one percent of teens choose. Most people, teenagers and
adults, simply don’t know about adoption. Most people think it looks like what they have seen on an afternoon talk
show or TV movie. If you got your image of adoption from the movie Juno, or any other movie, you have a WRONG
image of adoption. Adoption doesn’t look anything like it did in 1950 or like it is portrayed in modern movies and
television shows..
40
SLIDE 29
The goal of this slide is to get students to think about why people don’t choose adoption. Refer them to the “16 and
Pregnant” episode on MTV of the young girl, Catelynn, who made an adoption plan. This episode can be seen it it’s
entirety at
http://www.mtv.com/videos/16-and-pregnant-ep6-catelynn/1615511/playlist.jhtml. Why was she the only one? Go
over each possible reason and get them to tell you their opinions.
41
SLIDE 30
For example, most people don’t know that there are over 2 million couples WAITING to adopt babies. We know this
number because all those 2 million couples have walked into an adoption agency somewhere in the United States
and said “We want to adopt a baby”. When this happens, a social worker in the adoption agency says “great, let me
give you some paper work”, and they hand the couple a stack of paper work about this thick (hold your hands about
3 inches apart), and they say go home and fill this out and then come back when you are finished. In that stack of
paperwork, they are going to ask questions that you never knew anyone would want to know about you like, “What
was the most traumatic thing that happened to you as a child, and how did that shape you as a person?” or “What is
the worst fight you and your spouse have ever been through, and how did you work through it?” or “Why do you want
to be a parent? What do you have to offer a child?” And so the questions go. Once they have filled all the paper work
out, they send it back to the adoption agency, and are given one more piece of paperwork. To complete this form,
the couple goes to the state FBI department and gives their finger prints. That paper is sent off to the FBI office in
Washington for a criminal background check. If they have even a misdemeanor arrest record, they will not be allowed
to adopt a baby.
After all that is done, they get to be in the 2 million couples that wait to adopt. Most people simply don’t know that
adoptive parents have to go through ALL that just to be parents.
Most people don’t know that the birthparents, that is, the birthmother and birthfather are the ones making all the
decisions about the adoption, and you’ll hear that very clearly in just a second.
Unfortunately, because of the negative stereotypes in the media, and movies like Juno, less than 1% of women choose
adoption in their crisis pregnancies.
42
SLIDE 31
This is a clip from MTV’s 16 & Pregnant - Catelynn and Tyler were from Season 1 and they choose adoption in their
unplanned pregnancy. You may also use the “Facing Life Head On” clip. It is an interview with a birthmother. It
illustrates the difficult nature of choosing adoption in a teen pregnancy. The birthmother clearly explains the real
reason behind the adoption decision and dispels outdated stereotypes.
You will need too click on the bottom area of the screen to get video icon – clip is embedded.
*Distribute the “Accurate Adoption Language” while video plays. Once video finishes go over the commonly used
negative phrases and explain why they are so hurtful to both a pregnant teen and to children who were adopted.
43
SLIDE 32
Statistics for adopted children have been proven among many research resources. According to research, adopted
children score higher than children of single parent homes on self-esteem, confidence, self-directedness, positive view
of others, and feelings of security. Adopted adolescence are generally less depressed than children of single parents
and are less likely to be involved in alcohol abuse, vandalism, police trouble, weapon use, and theft. Fewer than 7% of
children adopted as infants repeated a grade in school, less than 2% of adopted children live in poverty, and adoptive
parents are less likely to divorce.
44
SLIDE 33
45
SLIDE 34
We are about to watch a video depicting how an adopted adult feels about her birthmother and the choice she made
that changed her life forever for the better!
46
SLIDE 35
Use an Adoptive family picture here. This is the time for the personal story from an adoptive mom or dad. You want
the students to hear you don’t have to give birth to a child to love that child.
47
SLIDE 36
Birthmothers make such a selfless decision to make an adoption plan for their child. Most of the time, our culture
believes that this selfless act can harm the birthmother, but research has told us differently. Birthmothers are more
likely to finish high school and less likely to live in poverty. Birthmothers are more likely to be employed 12 months
after the birth and less likely to repeat out-of-wedlock pregnancy. They are no more likely to have psychological
consequences, like depression, than mothers who choose to parent.
48
SLIDE 37
Use this slide to point out the differences between adoption and abortion. The main point is for the students to
see that when adoption is chosen, they can still have contact and even a relationship with their child. If abortion is
chosen, it is final.
49
SLIDE 38
“Betcha didn’t know…”
You want to make them aware of the positive outcomes for the women who make adoption plans.
50
SLIDE 39
In conclusion we hope that you heard today that all three of the options in a crisis teen pregnancy are very difficult.
We hope that you will choose to be abstinent and you’ll never have to make one of these hard choices.
But also, we hope that you now know that women who choose adoption for their children love them very much and
want them to have a life than they could not provide to them at that time in their lives.
Ask them to fill out the Post Survey on both sides. Allow them to come up and take any resources or materials that
they may need. Explain how having this information will allow them to be ready when and if a friend is in this
situation.
51
SLIDE 38
We pride ourselves on the fact that the entire presentation has been built on FACTUAL information. All of the sources
for the statistics used can be found here or on our website at www.decisionschoicesandadoptions.org
52
Program
Evaluation
Decisions, Choices & Options
Program Evaluation:
In order to expand the educational outreach of this program, each organization (provider) using
this curriculum for instruction will be required to conduct pre and post surveys with program
participants.
The surveys are provided by S.A.f.E., Inc. and are to be requested at least two weeks in advance
of instruction. Request are made to [email protected] subject line DCO evaluations,
include the number of evaluation forms you anticipate needing for a three month period.
Each program participants should be encouraged to complete the pre and post surveys.
Participants can be reassured that these evaluations are anonymous and voluntary.
Surveys come pre/post on one 8 ½” x 11” sheet perforated down the center: pre on the left, post
on the right. Surveys should be separated before instruction begins.
Pre:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tell program participants that there will be an anonymous and voluntary survey.
Instruct participants that they may use a pen or pencil. Black or blue ink.
Instruct participants to bubble in the answers. No checks or X’s.
Give each participate a pre test.
Read the questions aloud.
Instruct participants that they are not to answer aloud, simply mark their answers.
Remind participants that this is to measure their opinions, not their friends.
Take up pre surveys before instruction begins, this will keep participates from
doodling on the forms.
Post:
1. Tell program participants that you will now be doing a post survey that is also
anonymous and voluntary. Tell them you are trying to determine how well you
taught the material. This keeps participants from feeling like they are being
graded, they are grading the instructor.
2. Remind participants to use a pen or pencil. Black or blue ink.
3. Remind participants to bubble in the answers. No checks or X’s.
4. Give each participate a post test.
5. Read the questions aloud.
6. Remind participants not to answer aloud, simply mark their answers.
7. Remind participants that this is to measure their thoughts, not their friends.
8. Encourage participants to write comments about the program on the back of the
post surveys.
Once program is completed:
1. Combine pre/post surveys from each location (school/church etc)
53
2.
•
•
•
•
Prepare surveys for mailing:
Turnallsurveysthesamedirection.
Donotfold,bend,stapleorgemclipsurveys.
Checkforcomments(copyanycommentsyouwanttokeep).
Cleanupanythataredoodledonorifthetopportionisblankandyouknowthe
answer(example:age-ifblank-youwereteaching15-17-youcanmarkthese).
• CompletetheProgramEvaluationCoverSheetandwrapitaroundthesurveys.
Uselooserubberbandstoholdgrouptogether.
3. Mailsurveysto:
S.A.f.E.,Inc.
900OakGroveRoad
Homewood,AL35209
Surveyswillbescannedandyouwillreceiveareportoutliningtheresults.Surveysshouldbe
mailedtoS.A.f.E.,Inc.atleastonceeachquarter.Pleasedonotholdsurveysuntilyouhavea
largevolume,asthispracticepreventsS.A.f.E.,Inc.fromprovidingreportsinatimelymanner.
ReneeWilliams
[email protected]
205-542-7016
54
Decision, Choices & Options
Program Evaluation Cover Sheet
To participate in the Decision, Choices & Options program you must provide the following information
This form must be completed in full, in order to provide accurate data results.
Recipient Information Section - School/Church or Organization
Program Being Presented: Decisions, Choices & Options
Dates Presented:___________
Name of Recipient Organization:____________________________________________
Organization Address:____________________________________________________
City_________________________County________________State_______Zip______
Contact Name:_________________________________________________________
Area Code and Phone Number of Organization(____)____________________________
Teacher’s Name:________________________________________________________
Providers Information Section
Name of Organization Providing Program:_____________________________________
Organization Address:____________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________
Area Code and Phone Number of Organization:________________________________
Contact Name:_________________________________________________________
Contact’s e-mail address:_________________________________________________
Instructors Name:_______________________________________________________
55
School_____________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
Date of Request____________Presentation Date ___________
Teacher____________________Length of Class____________
Class Title or Subject Matter___________________________
Teacher:
Special Concerns or Issues __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Your Evaluation of the Presentation and Content__________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggestions for Improvement ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
DCO Presenters:
Name or Presenter ________________________________________________________
Mileage __________________________ Phone_________________________________
Name of Presenter ________________________________________________________
Mileage __________________________ Phone_________________________________
For more information, please contact:
Joi Wasill, Founder and Director
1072 Mansker Farms Blvd.
Hendersonville, TN 37075
615-308-5372
Handout One
surveys
57
58
Handout Two
Accurate Adoption Language
Words Convey Important Messages!
Accurate adoption language can stop the spread of misconceptions such as these.
By using accurate language, we educate others about adoption. We choose emotionally
correct words over emotionally laden words. We speak and write appropriate adoption
language with the hope of influencing others so that this language will someday become
the norm.
Instead of…
Please use…
Why?
“Adopt out;” “Give away;” “Make an adoption plan;”
“Choose adoption”
“Put up for adoption”
“Keep the baby”
“Choose to parent her child;”
“Made a parenting plan”
“Real parent;” “Natural
Parent”
“Birth parent”
“Adoptive parent”
“Parent”
“Adopted child”
“My child”
“Own child”; “Real child”
“Birth child”
“Illegitimate”
“Born to unmarried or
single parents”
National Council for Adoption
Consider the Possibilities
59
Options
What are the 3 options a woman faces in a crisis pregnancy?
Adoption, Abortion, and Parenting
Decisions you can live with should be based on facts, not opinions.
More than 80 teenage girls find out that they are pregnant every HOUR in the US.
1 in 4 or 25% of every sexually active Caucasian high school student is already infected with an STD.
1 in 2 or 50% of every sexually active African American high school student is already infected with an STD.
Sexually transmitted diseases can cause sterility in girls.
Option 1 – Parenting
Nearly 75% of teen moms will end up on Welfare.
The cost to the American taxpayer for children raised in fatherless homes was $9.1 Billion in 2007.
Less than 8% of teen dads marry their child’s mother.
60% of teen moms do not graduate from high school.
Of all of the prisoners in any prison in the US, 80% came from fatherless homes.
The Father is the #1 influence in a child’s life.
Option 2 – Abortion
There are 1.2 million abortions performed each year in the US.
Since 1973, there have been over 50 million abortions.
A heart beat can be detected at 18-22 days after conception.
Brain waves can be detected at 40 days after conception.
All major organs and body parts are present at 8 weeks of development.
Fetus—a Latin term for “offspring” or “young”. It does not mean blob of flesh or tissue.
90% of women who see an ultrasound will NOT go through with an abortion.
There are 2 basic types of abortions—Surgical and Chemical
Life begins at conception.
Option 3 – Adoption
There are 2 million couples waiting to adopt a baby.
Less than 1% of unplanned pregnancies end with an adoption plan.
If 1 of every 10 women seeking an abortion would choose adoption, then there would be 120,000 children
placed with adoptive families.
There would NOT be any unwanted children.
There are 3 types of adoptions—Open, Semi-Open, and Confidential
In adoption, ALL decisions are made by the birthparents.
Positive Adoption Language
Don’t Use—”Real Parents” Instead Use—”Birth or Biological Parents”
Don’t Use—”Gave Up or Put Up” Instead Use—”Make an Adoption Plan or Choose Adoption”
Don’t Use—”Keeping It” Instead Use—”Parenting”
60
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
Curriculum
Overview
The Decisions, Choices, & Options program addresses the issue of decision making surrounding
the critical topic of teens and unplanned pregnancy. The classroom presentation and activities will
help students develop the skills necessary to support others in the crisis as well as make wise and
informed decisions for themselves.
The curriculum is designed for one day or up to one week of lessons,
activities, and guest presentations.
50-55 Minute Class
Day One—Guest Presenters
Teen Pregnancy Pre-Survey
Introduction Why Should Your Student Care About This
Information?
Reinforcement of Abstinence Message
Current Stats on Teen Pregnancy
Current Stats on STDs
Option 1—Parenting
Risks to teen parents, the child and society
Facts on fatherlessness
Option 2—Abortion
Fetal development
Types of abortion: Surgical and Chemical
Similarities between abortion and adoption
Day Two—Guest Presenters
Option 3—Adoption
“Why do you think…?” Activity re: adoption
Adoption Facts
Positive Adoption Language
Birthmother Testimony
Adoptive Parent Testimony
“Through the Child’s Eyes” Activity
Post Survey and “What Do You Think?” quiz
Conclusion
Day 3
Activity 1—Decision Making 101
Activity 2—Baby Costs
In the first activity, students will make a list of
the pros and cons for each of the 3 options
facing a pregnant teen, her boyfriend, the
child, and their families.
They will present their findings as a group
to the class based on data from the
presentation.
In the second activity, the students will
brainstorm the costs related to parenting a
baby for the first year. They will look at all of
the necessities and develop a budget.
Day 4
Activity 3—Future Family Profile
In this activity, students will compile a family
profile of their view of an ideal family. These
will then be compared to actual adoptive
family profiles. These profiles can be found at
www.parentprofiles.com
Day 5
Activity 4—”Dear Birthmother”
& Family Selection
Students will write a “Dear Birthmother” letter
explaining why they would like to be parents
and what they have to offer a child. Students
will role play the family selection process of a
young girl and her boyfriend choosing a family.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
61
Curriculum
Overview
90 Minute Class
Day One—Guest Presenters
Day 2
Activity 1—Decision Making 101
Activity 2—Baby Costs
Teen Pregnancy Pre-Survey
Introduction Why Should Your Student Care About This
Information?
Reinforcement of Abstinence Message
Current Stats on Teen Pregnancy
Current Stats on STDs
In the first activity, students will make a list of
the pros and cons for each of the 3 options
facing a pregnant teen, her boyfriend, the
child, and their families.
Option 1—Parenting
Risks to teen parents, the child and society
Facts on fatherlessness
In the second activity, the students will
brainstorm the costs related to parenting a
baby for the first year. They will look at all of
the necessities and develop a budget.
Option 2—Abortion
Fetal development
Types of abortion: Surgical and Chemical
Similarities between abortion and adoption
Option 3—Adoption
“Why do you think…?” Activity re: adoption
Adoption Facts
Positive Adoption Language
Birthmother Testimony
Adoptive Parent Testimony
“Through the Child’s Eyes” Activity
Post Survey and “What Do You Think?” quiz
Conclusion
They will present their findings as a group to
the class based on data from presentation.
Day 3
Activity 3—Family Profile,
Activity 4 -“Dear Birthmother”
& Family Selection
In this activity students compile a family profile
of their view of an ideal family. These will
then be compared to actual adoptive family
profiles. These profiles can be found at
www.parentprofiles.com
Students will write a “Dear Birthmother” letter
explaining why they would like to be parents
and what they have to offer a child. Students
will role play the family selection process of a
young girl and her boyfriend choosing a family.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
62
Decision
Making 101
Activity 1
Teacher Notes
Students will use information learned in the DCO presentation to complete a pros and
cons worksheet on each option.
To get them started, ask the following questions:
• What is a loss that may occur when an adoption plan is made?
• What is a loss that may occur when abortion is chosen?
• What kind of loss might the birth grandparents experience?
• What role does the quality of life of the child play in the decision?
• What effects would parenting have on the birthparents?
• How can you be supportive of others when they are dealing with loss?
Answer Key for Decision Making 101 Template
Parenting—Effects on the Child
Pros
• Child is raised by the biological parent
• Connection to heritage and family
•
•
•
•
Cons
Economic hardships or poverty
Loss of quality time with parents
Loss of childhood-grows up too fast
Quality of life
Parenting—Effects on the Birthparents & Their Families
Pros
• Avoids the loss of the child
• Fulfills the role of mother
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cons
Loss of income & educational opportunities
Money needed to raise a child
Lack of energy—sleepless nights
Change of lifestyle and goals
Loss of support system
Loss of teen years
Focus changes from self to child
Goals take longer to achieve
63
Abortion—Effects on the Child
Pros
•None...
Cons
• Loss of life
Abortion—Effects on the Birthparents & Their Families
Pros
• Financial burden of raising the child is gone
• Can achieve previous goals
• Not bound to a relationship with birthfather
Cons
• Grief and emotional loss
• Physical pain
• Possible complications and additional
medical treatments necessary
• Future fertility could be effected
Adoption—Effects on the Child
•
•
•
•
•
Pros
Parents who are ready to be parents
Stable environment
Little to no economic hardships
Able to grow up in a 2 parent home
Two families to love them
Cons
• Possible loss of biological roots.
• Doubt of love by birthparents
Adoption—Effects on the Birthparents & Their Families
•
•
•
•
•
64
Pros
Financial burden of raising the child is gone
Can achieve previous goals
Not bound to a relationship with birthfather
Fulfill child’s needs
Maintain a relationship with the child
Cons
• Grief and/or emotional loss
• Loss of role as mother
• Judgment by others
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
How Will
This
Decision
Effect The
Birthparents
& Their
Families?
How Will
This
Decision
Effect
The Child?
Abortion
Cons -
Pros -
Cons -
Pros -
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
Cons -
Pros -
Pros -
Cons -
Cons -
Pros -
Cons -
Pros -
Parenting
Adoption
Options Facing a Pregnant Teen
Decision Making 101
65
What Does
a Baby Cost
Activity 2
Teacher Notes
Expenses Related to Pregnancy
& First Year of Life for the Child
In this activity, the students will work with an itemized list of needs related to pregnancy
and the first year of life for the child.
The students will need to decide how many of each item will be needed over the
first year of the child’s life. They will then estimate the cost of each item. Once that is
determined, the total cost related to each item will be calculated. Each category can
be totaled to determine a grand total for the exercise.
Have the students work as groups to come up with the needs and costs. Have the
groups then compare their findings. For further discussion, ask the following questions:
• After comparing the teacher’s answer key to the students findings, were the findings
comparable?
• What were some areas the students had not previously considered?
• What were the areas that were underestimated the most?
• Where do the students anticipate the income to cover the related costs?
Remind the students that the costs were related to one year!!
For additional activities, consider having your class work up a cost analysis for a 10
year old child.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
67
Before the Baby Arrives:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
12
Doctor Visits for Mom
8
Prenatal Vitamins (1 bottle per mon)
1
Hospital Bill
1
Car Seat
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
$125.00
$1,500.00
$15.00
$120.00
$12,000.00
$12,000.00
$50.00
$50.00
Total
$13,670.00
Nursery:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
1
Crib
1
Mattress
2
Mattress Pads
5
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
$100.00
$100.00
$50.00
$50.00
$7.75
$15.50
Sheets
$10.00
$50.00
5
Blankets
$10.00
$50.00
8
Receiving Blankets
$3.00
$24.00
1
Crib Toys (Mobile, Animals)
$25.00
$25.00
1
Changing Table
$90.00
$90.00
1
Changing Table Pads
$8.00
$8.00
Total
$412.50
Diapers:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
4380
Diapers (12 per day x 365)
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
$0.30
$1,314.00
12
Cloth Diapers (Burp Clothes)
$12.00
$144.00
36
Baby Wipes (3 per mon x 12)
$3.00
$108.00
24
Diaper Rash Ointment (2 mon x 12)
$3.00
$72.00
1
Diaper Bag
$20.00
$20.00
1
Diaper Pail
$20.00
$20.00
Total
$1,678.00
68
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
Health & Safety Items:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
1
Digital Thermometer
$10.00
$10.00
1
Hairbrush and Comb
$6.00
$6.00
1
Humidifier or Vaporizer
$36.00
$36.00
2
Nasal Aspirator
$2.00
$4.00
2
Toothbrushes
$0.90
$1.80
1
Baby Monitor
$25.00
$25.00
2
Stairway Gates
$15.00
$30.00
15
Drawer latches, outlet covers
$4.00
$60.00
1
Baby Bathtub
$15.00
$15.00
5
Baby Washclothes
$0.80
$4.00
1
Bathtub rings
$10.00
$10.00
1
Faucet Protectors
$2.00
$2.00
3
Hooded Towels
$10.00
$30.00
24
Soap, Lotion, Powder, & Oil
$10.00
$240.00
24
Laundry Detergent for Baby
$5.00
$120.00
Total
$593.80
Clothing:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
12
Sleepers
$5.00
$60.00
6
Booties & Hats
$2.75
$16.50
36
Outfits (3-6 per mon x 12)
$12.00
$432.00
36
Socks (2-4 per mon x 12)
$2.50
$90.00
2
Coat
$25.00
$50.00
4
Warm Up Suits
$15.00
$60.00
24
Shirts
$5.00
$120.00
10
Pants
$6.50
$65.00
10
Shorts
$6.50
$65.00
10
Dresses
$15.00
$150.00
Total
$1,108.50
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
69
What Does
a Baby Cost
Feeding:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
1
270
Breast pump (if breast fed)
Nursing Pads (3-4 per day x 90)
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
$25.00
$25.00
$0.50
$135.00
$15.00
$60.00
4
Nursing Bra
20
Pacifiers
$1.25
$25.00
915
Formula (2.5 cans per day x 365)
$6.00
$5,490.00
10
Bottles
$1.00
$10.00
2
Bottle Brushes
$2.00
$4.00
1
High Chair
$50.00
$50.00
1
Toddler Seat
$35.00
$35.00
900
Baby Food (5 per day x 6 mons)
$0.50
$450.00
10
Childproof Plates & Bowls
$4.00
$40.00
6
Baby Spoons
$1.00
$6.00
10
Cloth Bibs
$3.00
$30.00
10
Plastic Bibs
$2.00
$20.00
10
No Spill Cups
$2.00
$20.00
Total
$6,400.00
Extra Items:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
1
Stroller
$50.00
$50.00
1
Play Pen
$75.00
$75.00
1
Swing
$75.00
$75.00
1
Walker
$40.00
$40.00
Total
$240.00
$24,102.80
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Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
What Does
a Baby Cost
Expenses Related to Pregnancy
& First Year of Life for the Child
Before the Baby Arrives:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Doctor Visits for Mom
Prenatal Vitamins (1 bottle per mon)
Hospital Bill
Car Seat
Nursery:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Crib
Mattress
Mattress Pads
Sheets
Blankets
Receiving Blankets
Crib Toys (Mobile, Animals)
Changing Table
Changing Table Pads
Diapers:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Diapers (12 per day x 365)
Cloth Diapers (Burp Clothes)
Baby Wipes (3 per mon x 12)
Diaper Rash Ointment (2 mon x 12)
Diaper Bag
Diaper Pail
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
71
What Does
a Baby Cost
Health & Safety Items:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Digital Thermometer
Hairbrush and Comb
Humidifier or Vaporizer
Nasal Aspirator
Toothbrushes
Baby Monitor
Stairway Gates
Drawer latches, outlet covers
Baby Bathtub
Baby Washclothes
Bathtub rings
Faucet Protectors
Hooded Towels
Soap, Lotion, Powder, & Oil
Laundry Detergent for Baby
Clothing:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Sleepers
Booties & Hats
Outfits (3-6 per mon x 12)
Socks (2-4 per mon x 12)
Coat
Warm Up Suits
Shirts
Pants
Shorts
Dresses
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Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
What Does
a Baby Cost
Feeding:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Breast pump (if breast fed)
Nursing Pads (3-4 per day x 90)
Nursing Bra
Pacifiers
Formula (2.5 cans per day x 365)
Bottles
Bottle Brushes
High Chair
Toddler Seat
Baby Food (5 per day x 6 mons)
Childproof Plates & Bowls
Baby Spoons
Cloth Bibs
Plastic Bibs
No Spill Cups
Extra Items:
How Many?
Item
Cost per Item
Total Cost
(Cost x How Many)
Stroller
Play Pen
Swing
Walker
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
73
Future Family
Profile
Activity 3
Teacher Notes
Students will compile a description of the future family they intend to have some
day. Use the following questions to get the process going:
• Is it important for a child to have both a mother and a father?
• What unique contributions to a child’s life does a father provide?
• What unique contributions does a mother provide?
• Should both parents work outside the home? If not, which do you think should stay
home?
• What do you think the required income will be for you to live the lifestyle you want for
you and your family?
• Is it important to you that you and your spouse have completed high school?
• Is it important to you that you and your spouse have a college education?
• Is religious faith and church attendance important to you? Your family? Your child?
• It is important for your child to be exposed to music? Art? Dance? Sports?
Have the students take their current age and add 15 years to that number. This is the
age they will use to design their family profile. They should describe their ideal family—
the best situation for themselves and their spouse and children.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
75
Future Family
Profile
Activity 3
Name________________________________
Date________________________________
Current age: ________________ Add 15 years: _________________
This will be the age you will use to create your future family profile
How long have I been married?_______________________________________________
What is my level of education?________________________________________________
High School, College, Graduate School
What is my occupation? _____________________________________________________
Where am I living?__________________________________________________________
City and State
What type of home?________________________________________________________
Own or rent—Home or apartment
How many children do I plan to have? _________________________________________
Will my children go to daycare or will my spouse or
I stay home with them?______________________________________________________
Will church or religious activity be a part of my family?_____________________________
Describe that activity?_______________________________________________________
Will I lead a healthy lifestyle?__________________________________________________
Exercise Plan, Smoking, Drinking, Drugs…
What are my hobbies and interests?___________________________________________
Sports, Civic Clubs, ...
What activities will my children participate in?___________________________________
Sports, Music & Arts, ...
__________________________________________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
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Dear
Birthmother
Activity 4
Teacher Notes
Why Your Student and Their Future Spouse Would Like to Be
Parents and What They Have to Offer a Child
Using the Future Family Profile compiled in a previous activity, the students will write
a letter to a potential birthmother explaining why she should choose their family when
selecting a family for her child.
Students should include
• What they have to offer the child
• Why they would like to be parents
• What values are important to them as husband and wife
• The type of relationship they would have with the birthparents
This activity will help the students understand what the birthparents may be looking
for in an ideal family. It will also have them reflect upon what they value in their future
family.
Examples can be found at:
www.parentprofiles.com
Students can then role play as birthparents choosing the ideal family for their child.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
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Tips for the
Teacher
Regarding Adoption
At some point in time, you will be faced with a student who is experiencing
an unplanned pregnancy. It may be that you are the first one who is trusted
with this difficult information. Many adults side step talking about adoption
because it is uncomfortable or they don’t know what to say. Even counselors
in pregnancy centers admit that they have the same issue.
Here are some helpful tips when discussing adoption with your students:
• Be sure to use positive adoption language! Most girls hear the negative
phrases like “give up” or “keep” the baby as an indictment on their character.
• Remind them of the FACTS about adoption • Open adoption allows the birthmother to maintain a relationship with her
child & his or her adoptive family
• She can continue with previous goals and plans
• Birthmothers achieve “hero” status to a waiting family and the child
• 2 million families are waiting to adopt
• Share a personal story of someone you know who either adopted or was
adopted.
• Make sure they know that “looking into” adoption does not commit them to
that decision.
• Adoption is NOT abandonment; it is a PLAN.
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
81
Facts To
Consider About
Adoption
•
•
•
•
•
The typical adoptive parents:
Are in stable, secure marriages
Are typically older and settled in their careers, life, etc.
Earn an above average income
Have a great desire to be parents
Have hearts full of love
•
•
•
•
Children adopted as infants:
Repeat grades less often than any other groups
Have fewer behavior problems
Typically have a better standing in their classes at school
Have fewer health problems
McLaughlin Study
Family Planning Perspectives
82
Reproduced with permission from © Decisions, Choices, & Options
Adoption Facts
For Birthmothers:
• They have higher educational aspirations, are more likely to finish school, and less likely to live
in poverty and receive public assistance than mothers who keep their children.
• They delay marriage longer, are more likely to marry eventually, and are less likely to divorce..
• They are more likely to be employed 12 months after the birth and less likely to repeat out-ofwedlock pregnancy.
• They are no more likely to suffer negative psychological consequences, such as depression, than
are mothers who rear their children.
• Women who voluntarily place their children for adoption are likely to have greater educational
and vocational goals for themselves than those who keep their children.
• Women whose mother completed at least one year of college were three times more likely to
place their babies for adoption than women whose mothers did not complete high school.
For Children:
• There are 1.5 million adopted children in the United States, which is over 2% of all US children.
• Teens who are adopted at birth are more likely than children born into intact families to live with
two parents in a middle-class family.
• Adopted children score higher than their middle-class counterparts on indicators of school
performance, social competency, optimism and volunteerism.
• Adopted adolescents score higher than children of single parents on self-esteem, confidence in
their own judgment, self directedness, positive view of others and feelings of security within
their family.
• On health measures, adopted children and children of intact families share similarly high scores.
• Seven percent of children adopted at infancy repeat a grade, while twelve percent of children
living with both biological parents repeat a grade.
• Compared with the genera; child population, children placed with adoptive couples are better off
economically.
• Adopted adolescents are generally less depressed than children of single parents and are less
involved in alcohol abuse, vandalism, group fighting, police trouble, weapon use and theft.
Data indicates that adopted children:
• Do better in educational attainment than single parent children and children being raised by
their grandparents
• Enjoy a quality of home environment superior to all other groups.
• Have superior access to health care compared to all other groups
(Courtesy of: www.americanadoptions.com & www.statistics.adoption.com)
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References for
Statistics
Decisions, Choices and Options Statistics & References
• 52% of all mothers on welfare had their first child as a teen – Child Trends Inc.
• National cost to taxpayers for teen pregnancy & parenting is 9.1 billion dollars a
year. – Nation Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• 1 in 4 sexually active teens are already infected with a Sexually Transmitted
Disease. – Center for Disease Control
• More than 80 teen girls find themselves pregnant each hour. – Guttmacher
Institute
• Breakdown of teen pregnancy: 65% are 18-19 years old, 33% are 15-17 years
old, and 2% are under 15 years old. - Guttmacher Institute
• 59% will choose teen parenting, 27% will choose abortion, 14% will miscarry,
and less then 1% will choose adoption. – Guttmacher Institute
• Nearly 80% of teen mothers go on welfare within 5 years of the child’s birth. –
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• Over 50% of children raised by a teen are referred to social services agencies. Department of Health and Human Services
• Less than 8% of teen fathers remain marry their child’s mother – National
Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• 40% of teen mothers graduate high school. – National Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy & March of Dimes
• Teen Dads- Monthly child support of at least $600.00 per month for 18 years. –
What’s the Rush, TN District Attorney’s Office
• 1.5 % of teen mothers will complete college. – National Campaign to Prevent
Teen pregnancy
85
• “The Success Sequence: finish high school, (college/tech school) wait until your
20s to marry, have children after you marry.” – National Campaign to Prevent Teen
Pregnancy
• Risk to the Children of Teen Mothers: Growing up with out a father, school failure,
Insufficient health care, low birth weight & prematurely, Abuse & Neglect, Poverty,
Incarceration – Boys, Teen Motherhood – Girls – National Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy
• “We Need Fathers to Step Up” – Barack Obama, “Parade”, published 6/21/09
• 90% of homeless and runaway children come from a fatherless home. – Bureau of
the Census
• 71% of pregnant teenage girls come from a fatherless home. – U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services, Press Release, March 26, 1999
• 63% of youth Suicides come from a fatherless home. – Bureau of the Census
• 70% of teens in state institutions and drug & alcohol rehab come from a fatherless
home. – U.S. Department of Justice
• 80% of prisoners in all U.S. prisons come from a fatherless home. – U.S.
Department of Justice
• Children from fatherless homes are twice as likely to drop out of school & four
times as likely to need help with behavior problems. – U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services
• 1.2 million abortions each year in the U.S. – National Right to Life, Guttmacher
Institute
• Over 50 million abortions since 1973 in the U.S. – National Right to Life
• 17 children are adopted for every 1000 that are aborted. – National Council for
Adoption
86
• Two most common types of abortions: Surgical & chemical. – Planned Parenthood
• Most abortions occur between 9-12 weeks – Planned Parenthood
• Fetal heartbeat begins between 18-22 days after conception- Mayo Clinic
• Fetal brainwaves begin between 40-45 days after conception – Mayo Clinic
• All major organs & body parts present after 8 weeks of development – Mayo Clinic
• “Life begins as single microscopic cell” - Glencoe Health Textbook - 8th Edition 2003
• By 12 weeks an unborn baby can: suck its thumb, do a summersault, hiccup. –
Mayo Clinic
• 80-90% of women who see an ultra sound will not go through with an abortion –
National Right to Life
• Machine vacuum Aspiration (4-10 weeks) description – Planned Parenthood
• Dilation & Suction Curettage (6-14 weeks) description – Planned Parenthood
• Morning After Pill - May prevent pregnancy – depending on menstrual cycle
“prevent implantation, not fertilization. Consequently, they should not be called
contraceptive pills… Because the term abortion refers to a premature stoppage
of a pregnancy, the term abortion could be applied to such an early termination of
pregnancy. A zygote is the beginning of a new human being.” - The
Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 6th ed., Moore et al. 1998
• RU486 - Mifeprex is a pill that blocks progesterone, a naturally produced hormone
that prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg and helps maintain
pregnancy. Without progesterone the pregnancy cannot continue and the lining
of the uterus softens, breaks down and bleeding begins. Mifeprex is followed
by a prostaglandin, misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and helps
complete the process.- Mifeprex, www.theearlyoptionpill.com
87
• The FDA has now received reports of 1,050 additional women who experienced
adverse events from the RU-486 regimen including 9 life-threatening incidents,
232 hospitalizations, 116 blood transfusions, and 88 cases of infection, according
to DeMint. – Jill Stanek, FDA Adverse Effects Report
• Less than 1% of all crisis pregnancies end with an adoption plan – National
Council for Adoption
• Over 2 million couples wait to adopt – National Council for Adoption
• 10 million couples would like to adopt – National Council for Adoption
• With accurate information about adoption, teens are 7 times more likely to choose
adoption – National Council for Adoption
• Women who choose adoption: have fewer subsequent unplanned parenthood,
more likely to graduate college, less likely to receive government assistance –
National Council on Family Relations
88
Contact Info...
Decisions, Choices, & Options
Joi Wasill, Executive Director
615-308-5372 Cell
103 Hazel Path Court, Suite 4
Hendersonville, TN 37075
www.decisionschoicesandoptions.com
89