Persuasive Speech Outline

Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience to support the teaching of sexual education in schools today
to prevent teenage pregnancy.
Introduction
Its 3am and being a 17 year girl tucked away in your bed nice and warm; you hear blood curdling scream
from the room next door. No its not an intruder its your two week old baby ready for his 3rd diaper change.
By supporting the teaching of real life situations from sexual choices and education regarding pregnancy
prevention, more teenagers will have access to appropriate information to make informed choices.

I.
II.
III.

A.

Teenage pregnancy is a problem for all involved. It puts a great strain on not only the young mother,
but also on her parents who, more often than not, end up with the new baby in their family home, often
having to look after it while the babys parents are at school if they go back or try to work to support
the new child. As well as the strain on basic tax payers who fund State Assistance funds that several
young parents end up on.
B. Teen pregnancies in todays society have become a growing issue and have been brought to the
limelight with media attention so it is important to teach our kids the reality of their choices by
providing education and real life information regarding their choices. Showing the teens what life is
like after the baby is born in real life as opposed to what they imagine and see on TV would create an
impact.
C. When we have more comprehensive education available to the teenagers, they will be able to see what
consequences their choices would have on not only their futures but can see how their choices would
impact all of those around them. With the right information given to them they will be able to make
more informed decisions which will let them have better careers, and society will benefit as a whole.
Body
I.

Teenage pregnancy is a problem for all involved. It puts a great strain on not only the young mother, but
also on her parents who, more often than not, end up with the new baby in their family home, often having
to look after it while the babys parents are at school if they go back or try to work to support the new child.
As well as the strain on basic tax payers who fund State Assistance funds that several young parents end up
on.
A. Although rates here are declining, the U.S. has the highest rates of teen pregnancy, birth, and
abortion in the industrialized world. In fact, the U.S. teen pregnancy and birth rates are nearly
double Canada's, at least four times those of France and Germany, and more than eight times that
of Japan.(5)
1. A new study by the Guttmacher Institute states that a leading reproductive health research
and advocacy group estimates that unintended pregnancies cost U.S. taxpayers an
estimated $11.1 billion dollars a year. Nearly two-thirds of unintended pregnancies -roughly a million births -- are publicly funded by Medicaid and other government
programs. (6)
B. Out of high school drop outs, pregnant teens are the most likely to do so. Because of this, young
teen mothers are more likely to encounter financial struggles and economic insecurity as they try
to raise their child. According to a recent study, many pregnant teens and teen mothers report they
would have stayed in school if they had received greater support from the adults at the school.(7)
1. It is listed that 70% of all the students that drop out early due so due to teen pregnancy.
And currently only 10% of teens that are pregnant finish school and do not drop out.

II.

Teen pregnancies in todays society have become a growing issue and have been brought to the limelight
with media attention so it is important to teach our kids the reality of their choices by providing education
and real life information regarding their choice. Showing the teens what life is like after the baby is born in
real life as opposed to what they imagine and see on TV would create an impact.

A.

III.

According to a study in 2008 there is increasing evidence that youth exposure to sexual content on
television shapes sexual attitudes and behavior in a manner that may influence reproductive health
outcomes (1)
1. Today it is hard to find a person who hasnt seen or at least heard of the TV shows, 16 and
Pregnant or Teen Mom, which puts a positive spin on teen pregnancy, but what the teens that are
obsessed with these shows dont think about is not every situation has the same outcome as in
these shows.
a. Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual content in the media, and who perceive greater
support from the media for teen sexual behavior, report greater intentions to engage in sexual
intercourse and more sexual activity. Mass media are an important context for adolescents'
sexual socialization, and media influences should be considered in research and interventions
with early adolescents to reduce sexual activity. (2)

When we have more comprehensive education available to the teenagers, they will be able to see what
consequences their choices would have on not only their futures but can see how their choices would
impact all of those around them. With the right information given to them they will be able to make more
informed decisions which will let them have better careers, and society will benefit as a whole.
A. Abstinence only sexual education programs are not effective in preventing teenage pregnancy. In fact
there is not any proof that it is any kind of deterrent for any sexual activity. There are several theories
that when Youth are told not to do something it pushes them into doing it faster.
B.

I.

Evaluations of comprehensive sex education programs show that these programs can help youth delay
onset of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sexual activity, reduce number of sexual partners, and
increase condom and contraceptive use. Importantly, the evidence shows youth who receive
comprehensive sex education are NOT more likely to become sexually active, increase sexual activity,
or experience negative sexual health outcomes

Conclusion
.
A. Teenage pregnancy is a problem for all involved. It puts a great strain on not only the young mother, but
also on her parents who, more often than not, end up with the new baby in their family home, often having
to look after it while the babys parents are at school if they go back or while they try to work to support the
new child. As well as the strain on basic tax payers who fund State Assistance funds that several young
parents end up on.
B. Teen pregnancies in todays society have become a growing issue and have been brought to the limelight
with media attention so it is important to teach our kids the reality of their choices by providing education
and real life information regarding their choices. Showing the teens what life is like after the baby is born
in real life as opposed to what they imagine and see on TV would create an impact.
C. When we have more comprehensive education available to the teenagers, they will be able to see what
consequences their choices would have on not only their futures but can see how their choices would
impact all of those around them. With the right information given to them they will be able to make more
informed decisions which will let them have better careers, and society will benefit as a whole.

II.

I know that I am asking you to think about a topic that for a lot of people is a Taboo subject and there are
some of you out there that dont see any problems at all with the way things are now. Just imagine that it is
your child, or family member that is thinking how much fun it would be to have a baby just like Maci from
Teen Mom, wouldnt you want to have her taught that yes babies are fun but they are also work. They are
not accessories like Coach Purse that when you are done you can put away. A child is a lifetime
responsibility. I would hope that you will support the education of real life choices.

III.

Im not saying that if we tell every single teenager out there that babies are bad and you have to wait then
they will. What I am asking for is instead bring in a real life baby with colic or one that is teething during
the week in health when they talk about reproduction. Show the pictures of what the teen moms actually
looked like after birth and being up all night with a baby instead of all the fun baby shower images and cute
little family picture moments. Show them REAL life parenting. I know thats not going to change every
single teenage girls mind. Because when I was 16 I thought that I could take on the world, but I think that if
they are shown some of the real life struggles that they are going to encounter then it might wake a few of
them up.