The teenage pregnancy rate in the United States exceeds that of any country in the western world. Everyday, 1,403 births are to teen mothers. The majority of these births are to unwed adolescents. Children growing up in single parent households are more likely to be school underachivers, abuse substances and enter the criminal justice system. To date, teen pregnancy and parenting programs that principally focus on acquiring knowledge about sexual abstinence have not been effective. More successful programs realistically integrate role-playing as a successful teaching strategy that increases knowledge, enhances self esteem activities and supports maturing social skills. This 1999-2000 graduate public health nursing project focused on seventh grade urban minority male youth enrolled in a Philadelphia public elementary school. "Smart Alex" is a youth centered project that emphasizes personal responsibility, decision making, resistance skills and practical solutions to difficult situations. The goals of the pilot project were to increase the participants' awareness about the risks and consequences of early sexual activity; to make healthier choices in their lives; to examine the consequences of their actions and others; and to establish short and long term life goals. "Smart Alex" emphasizes social responsibility that begins at an early age and continues throughout adulthood. This presentation describes the planning, program development, implementation and evaluation of "Smart Alex" and makes recommendations for future work with Philadelphia youth.
Learning Objectives: The participant will identify three consequences of early sexual activity. The participant will discuss role play as a strategy that supports adolescent self esteem. The participant will describe three or more teaching strategies that emphasize "resistance skills"
Keywords: Adolescents, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.