formulate in my mind the many reasons why I would agree with such a bold and brave statement.

Looking at myself presently, a 17-year-old in high school. There are too many things around me to occupy my time, keeping me away from the temptations that would lead to teen pregnancy.

Teen pregnancy results from the decision that a young woman makes to become sexually active. Such involvement opens the door for so many negative results such as: teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, or even death.

As a young person, it is my dream someday to become a self-supporting, productive citizen in my community; perhaps pursue a career in medicine. It does not mean that teen pregnancy would make me a bad person or keep me from realizing these goals. It certainly would make a major impact on my life.

It is certain that it would slow down any immediate plans that I have to complete high school and graduate my classmates, then to go on to college within the next year. One might say this is a small thing, but to complete a mile in a race, one must begin with a single step.

The consequences of teen pregnancy are many. What can an unemployed teenager offer to a baby? What kind of care can such a person provide for a new born? How much of a set back would my plans suffer? I believe that abstinence is the best policy. As a Christian, I have learned from the Bible that pre-marital sex is a sin. If I truly believe that, then the best thing to do is practice preventive medicine. Don't get sexually active. Sex is for married people, that's what God wanted and ordered Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. They were married and blessed by God. A woman should only be sexually involved with her husband, no one else will do.

Another thing that convinces me that teen pregnancy is not for me, is the recall of my father's words that keep coming back to my mind `girls', he would say to my sister and I, `you are our responsibility, we will do everything possible to give you the best preparation in life, however, caring for your baby in your teenage years, is not part of the package. You will need to find somewhere else or someone else to live with other than us'.

Growing up certain standards were set for us. To allow something like that to happen, in my view would lower those standards, those set by my parents and my own personal ones. Pre-marital is not the way to go, aside from all the previously mentioned risks, a teenager's life changes forever, never to be the same.

It is also my goal when I get older to get married. Who will want to marry a woman with a child. It does happen, when some people get a second chance and find someone who is willing to love both the mother and child. But, there is no guarantee, so why take the risk? I also keep hearing my mother's words, "why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free.'' In other words, if a young man can have his way with me now, whey would he want to marry me? As a teenager, I am still dependent on my parents to care for me, to provide my meals, pay for my education, buy my clothes, even buy gas for my bike. I have the freedom of going to young people's activities, such as choir practice, youth meetings, and other things that people my age do, these privileges would be gone, because I would have to stay home and take of my baby.

I believe that children need two parents. All the responsibilities fall on one person if the other partner is not there. As I see, I don't think it is easy being a single parent. Because God always intended for children to be raised by both parents.

There are many more reasons that I could mention as to why teen pregnancy is not for me, but the bottom line is a baby at such young age simply messes up one's life. It is my personal decision based on my background, standards and beliefs that I should abstain from pre-marital sex, therefore eliminate the possibility of teen pregnancy. I feel that sex education should be offered in the school to help young people make more intelligent decisions.