Teens in Crisis – is there anyone out there?
THE UK has the second highest teenage birth rate in the
developed world, according to a report covering 28 countries. In 1988, there
were 31 births per 1,000 British girls aged between 15 and 19, statistics beaten
only by the US, which had 52 per 1,000. The report says the "alarmingly high" UK
figure may be due to British society becoming sexually relaxed without preparing
young people for it.
It says although contraceptive advice and services may be
formally available; there is still an atmosphere of embarrassment and secrecy.
The report quotes one British teenager who said: 'It sometimes
seems as if sex is compulsory but contraception has failed'.
The average age when British youngsters lose their virginity,
has in 40 years, dropped from 20 for men and 21 for women, to 17 for both sexes.
The number of girls having underage sex has also doubled in the
last 10 years. In comparison, teenagers in the Netherlands are five times less
likely to give birth than British teenagers.
The Dutch have the advantages of a "relatively inclusive society
with more open attitudes towards sex and education including contraception," the
report says.
Japan, Korea, Switzerland and the Netherlands have the lowest
teenage birth rates at fewer than seven per 1,000, the report found.
In the past 30 years, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany Italy,
Korea, Sweden and Switzerland have managed to reduce teenage birth rates by
three-quarters. Britain has only seen a 38% drop during the same period.
When young people experience personal problems, worries, and
difficulties, it can have a devastating affect on many areas of their lives and
have a severe impact on them emotionally, physically and socially.
Teens in Crisis - help & advice
Gloucestershire based charity
Teens in Crisis
are working hard to combat the problems that young people face and bring a
solution.
Teens in Crisis (TiC) offer confidential help to young people
regardless of their background or the problem they are experiencing.
TiC provides a range of services to young people, parents and
schools.
They operate a telephone helpline open to young people, parents
and professionals 3 afternoons a week.
Advice and Information to young people is offered through their
varied youth projects and web site.
TiC is able to relate with pupils at risk from exclusion and
those with disruptive or anti social behaviour through their accredited
counselling services. Families are well cared for by their Family Support
Service. This includes a home visiting service.
Teens in Crisis know that young people have great potential. The
majority are full of energy, growing up and just want to have fun.
Action for Youth Initiatives are designed to allow young
people to have that fun and be teenagers, to spend time with their friends but
in a safe environment. Action for Youth aims to provide youth work where little
or no current provision exists and has a specific remit for developing projects
in rural areas.
Currently TiC operates four 'Youth Cafe Projects' all in the
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
-
Flaxley: is open every Tuesday (Mondays during August) from
6.45pm - 8,45pm at the Old School Rooms. (Opened July 2002)
-
Newnham: is open every Tuesday from 6.45pm - 8.45pm at the
Armoury Hall. (Opened July 2002)
-
Mitcheldean: is open every Thursday from 6.45pm-8.45pm at the
Mitcheldean Community Centre. (Opened Nov 27th 1997)
-
Lydbrook: is open every Thursday from 6.45pm-8.45pm at the
-
Lydbrook Memorial Hall. (Opened Jan 10th 2002)
Crisis Prevention
Action for Youth initiatives play a vital role in crisis
prevention, they help young people to:
-
Build up self esteem & confidence
-
Feel safe, secure and valued
-
Build positive relationships with youth workers
-
Receive personal support & care
-
Easily access counselling, advice and information
-
Openly express themselves and develop new personal skills
-
Find ways to resist damaging influences and understand harm
reduction
Action for Youth plays a vital role in the work of Teens in
Crisis. These new projects will continue to have a positive impact on more and
more young lives.
Work with schools
Teens in Crisis provide quality education to thousands of
students every year in schools. Forming a vital part of our crisis prevention
strategy the education programmes have a positive effect on the present and
future behaviour of young people.
Dealing with important social, moral, developmental and
spiritual issues they cover a wide range of topics and in many cases lessons can
be adapted to schools specific needs.
Personal & Social Education
This programme is designed to inform and help students make
decisions about the issues facing them today. Lesson topics include:
Religious Education:
'Jesus, Who Was He?' is a programme that aims to give students
an understanding of how the Christian faith influences people's behaviour &
attitudes today.
|
