What do teens think about kids having kids
Is teenage pregnancy a tragic mistake or is it the teen's own fault? Or, is it a combination of many factors? It's a problem that occurs around the world, including Indonesia, affecting girls both rich and poor.
We took a trip to the mall to find out what young people think about the problem and also what must be done to deal with the issue. We also got a comment from a woman who became pregnant while a teenager.
Kartika Tjahya, 15, Haji Domang, South Jakarta: Yes, girls are old enough to take the responsibility of becoming pregnant, but some guys are just sex addicts, who impregnate and then leave them.
Desi, 18, Bogor: Teens don't know much about sex because parents are too embarrassed to talk about it. Usually it is already too late when they realise what their sexual desires have caused to happen.
Henry, 21, Pulau Mas, East Jakarta: Nowadays it's the culture of premarital sex, but it's also still taboo to talk about sex. I think it's everyone's responsibility, but, of course, it's the family that has to inform teens.
Dani Begawan, 15, Simpruk, South Jakarta.: It's the teens' fault because they don't take care of themselves (i.e. use contraception), and it's also the school's fault for not giving sex education.
Jere Keribo, 16, Permata Hijau, South Jakarta: It's their fault because they can't control their sexual desires, nor their erections (laughs).
Anita, 18, Bogor: Teens should know about sex, but parents are usually reluctant to talk about it. Hence, teens become curious about things they see on porn VCDs, for example. Then they experiment, because they don't know any better.
Nining, late 30s, Jakarta: The funny thing was that someone else in my family had fallen pregnant outside of marriage, and then it happened to me. I knew nothing about sex, because all they told us in elementary school was about the reproductive organs. I was 18 and my boyfriend, who was two years older than me, pressured me into having sex. I did it and I didn't think about what might happen next, even though I knew I might get pregant. Perhaps I just wanted the attention from him.
I thought about abortion, but couldn't do that. I thought about suicide, but then what about the baby?
I kept on going to school for the first six months because it didn't show, but then I had to stop. But, there were some of my friends who were so kind, they came and visited me after the baby was born and I was married. The marriage didn't work out, I realized my husband was cheating on me.
I've realized that what you need most in the world is an education, so you can have your own income and make your own choices. I have that now, because I went back to school, but it took a long time. Some girls may think that if they get pregnant, they will be able to get out of a horrible home life. Never think that -- You don't know what you're getting into.
-- Rani Lukita