Teen births drop to 20-year low in 2014

More young people believed to be using contraception
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 9 Feb 2015

THE number of babies born to teenage girls in Singapore last year reached its lowest level in at least two decades.

Last year, 404 were born to girls aged 19 and below, provisional figures from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority showed.

Over the years, the numbers have dropped significantly, from a high of 953 in 2000 to 853 in 2005 and 641 in 2010. In 2013, there were 487 teenage births.

But this is not because more teenagers are going for abortions. The number of abortions by girls aged below 20 fell from a high of 1,483 in 2003 to 578 in 2013.

Social workers and youngsters believe more young people are using contraception and turning to alternative sex acts.

Dr Carol Balhetchet, senior director for youth services at the Singapore Children's Society, said: "Compared to past generations of teens, what has changed now is that there is more awareness about contraception because community groups are running more outreach programmes. In the past, sex education was left mostly to parents and schools."

Sexually active young people said they also sought out information about the Pill and condoms themselves, either from the Internet, friends or professionals.

A 23-year-old woman, who started using condoms at 16 and went on the Pill a year later after requesting them from a gynaecologist, said: "The Internet keeps us informed, especially if it's too awkward finding out from parents or school.

"Taking the Pill is my own decision and I can control it rather than leave the decision to my partner, who can be reluctant to wear condoms."

Besides savvy teenagers who are more knowledgeable about contraception, Dr Balhetchet has met kids aged 12 and 13 who touch each other sexually rather than have full intercourse.

Stigma or the fear of reproach also plays a part in deterring teenage pregnancies.

"The perception of pregnant teenagers is still quite negative," said Ms Shaziah Wasiuzzaman, executive director of Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support (Babes), a group which helps pregnant girls aged 21 and below. It worked with 69 such pregnant girls last year, up from 25 three years ago.

A recent survey by Nanyang Technological University undergraduates found almost half of the 591 respondents aged between 18 and 25 felt that teenage pregnancy causes shame and embarrassment in their community.

Ms Leung Yan Wah, 23, one of the students behind the survey, said: "Pregnant teens avoid talking about it because they will be the subject of gossip and ostracism."

Despite the possible stigma, counsellors say there will still be teenagers who put themselves at risk of pregnancies.

Ms Shaziah said: "It isn't so much that they don't know about contraception, but that they don't really think pregnancy will happen to them."

For instance, a 23-year-old woman, who started having sex weekly since she was 15, said she does not use condoms and relies on the withdrawal method.

She said: "Honestly, I haven't given much thought to whether I could get pregnant from the withdrawal method until an article I read recently said it was risky."

Underage sex more common, say social workers
By Lim Yi Han, The Straits Times, 9 Feb 2015

MORE teenagers are becoming sexually active - with an increasing number thinking that it is normal for them to have sex, social workers say.

Figures from the State Courts show a steady growth in the number of cases of sex with a minor - that is, sex with a girl under 16, which is a crime even if she gives her consent.

Last year, there were 76 cases of the offence, down from 89 in 2013, but still an increase from 63 in 2012 and 36 in 2011.

At the Youth Court - which deals with children and youth under 16 years - there were four cases of youths charged last year with having sex with another minor, and five cases of assault with the intent of molest.

Social workers told The Straits Times that young people are typically referred to counsellors for behavioural problems but, during counselling, they sometimes open up on their sexual experiences.

Ms Lena Teo, assistant director of counselling at the Children-at-Risk Empowerment Association (Care Singapore), said: "I've seen roughly 20 per cent more underage sex cases over the years. Nowadays, teens are more tech-savvy and some lack parental control. They are more experimental because of curiosity and hormones raging at that age. It could also be peer pressure."

Mr Lam Wai Mun, a senior counsellor at Touch Cyber Wellness, noted that underage sex is a common issue.

"Some in primary school are also watching pornography, which is damaging because they form unhealthy perceptions," he said.

The younger generation is also more open to having sex at an early age, according to Mr Trevor Xie, former director of Children's Wishing Well, a charity for underprivileged children and youth.

"They don't see losing their virginity as a loss. They see sexual experience as a gain," he said.

Mr Xie added that they are usually willing parties, and are looking for love.

Ms Rachel Lee, senior assistant director of Fei Yue Family Service Centres, said the Internet has an impact on their views on sex as they may be exposed to "undesirable material" online.

"In the last five years or so, there has been an increase in such cases. There are those who engage in underage sex but are just not caught yet," said Ms Lee.

"This affects their studies and some may get pregnant and drop out of school," she said, adding that "a lot of them are not ready to take on the responsibility".

Experts said parents play an important part in ensuring that their children grow up with the right values.

Ms Gracia Goh, head of the Singapore Children's Society's youth centre in Jurong, advised parents to talk to their children about sex and take note of any inappropriate behaviour. Parents should also look for "teachable moments" when they can have discussions with their children about what they are watching or hearing, added Ms Goh.

If necessary, they can block access to websites with sexually explicit material.

Dr Adrian Wang, a psychiatrist in private practice, advised: "Have a close and healthy relationship with your children, so that they'll feel comfortable asking you questions, and you'll know who their friends are and what they've been up to.

"Peer influence is a powerful thing, and many kids are clever enough to go under the radar and hide their activities from you."