Photos courtesy of Reuters
The problem of pregnancies among teenagers in Thailand is increasing, according to a recent study.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about this pressing problem.
A new report titled Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy, from the United Nations Population Fund Thailand (UNFPA), shows an increasing number of adolescent mothers in Thailand. As a result, the young mothers become excluded from the workforce and the education system.
YOUNG MOMS
According to the 81-page report, which was released on March 13 and co-authored by the National Economic and Social Development Board, 355 women aged under 20 years old become mothers every day in Thailand.
“The ratio of Thai adolescents giving birth in 2012 was 54:1,000 girls, compared to 31:1,000 girls in 2000,” UNFPA official Wassana Im-em said. “The average teenage pregnancy ratio for the Asia Pacific region for 2012 was 35:1,000.”
EDUCATION NEEDED
Casper Peek, UNFPA representative to Thailand, said that the problem partly stems from a clash between traditional Thai cultural norms and rapidly changing teenage lifestyles. To reverse this trend, boys have to be taught to respect girls and girls to respect themselves, learn self-esteem and refuse to be taken advantage of, according to Casper.
“This can be done by providing better sexual education, access to reproductive health services, and empowering girls economically and socially,” Casper said. “The problem is no longer solely the girl’s responsibility, but also the boy’s, their parents’, the community’s and society’s at large.”
Exercises
Read through Exercises. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The ratio of Thai adolescents giving birth in 2012 stood at 54:1,000 girls.
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2. UNFPA stands for National Economic and Social Development Board.
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3. Casper Peek doesn’t work for UNFPA.
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4. According to the report, 355 girls aged below 20 become pregnant every day in Thailand.
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Vocabulary
- pressing (adj): needing to be dealt with immediately
norms (n): standards of behaviour that are typical of or accepted within a particular group or society
self-esteem (n): a feeling of being happy with your own character and abilities
empower (v): to give somebody more control over their own life or the situation they are in
solely (adv): only
