about Respect Rx

Hey all! I'm Courtney Macavinta, co-author of the best-selling book for teen girls RESPECT and founder of Respect Rx, which is devoted to empowering girls, women and their advocates to boost self-respect, sisterhood and social change in their lives—and our world.
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Girls, Quiz, Sex

Sex Quiz: What Would You Do?

Hot Topic

In the wake of Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy and movies like "Juno," teen pregnancy almost seems trendy. Well it should at least be a hot topic: More than 750,000 teen girls are getting pregnant each year. And the Latino community—my community—currently has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the U.S. More than half of all Latina girls get pregnant at least once by age 20.

Many teens say they are concerned about pregnancy, but still think "it can't happen to me." Well before you roll the dice (and no judgment: we've been there fellow risk-takers) remember, sex without respect is always risky. That's why we've partnered with the The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy to promote May 7 as the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Like Respect Rx, the project is centered around making informed choices, knowing your boundaries and respecting yourself.

For those who aren't ready to get a STD (not fun) or not ready to be moms or deal with the responsibility that comes with it, you deserve to be empowered to make choices that are right for you. Or if you've been taking risks out in the sexual scene and don't feel great about the outcomes, then do check out the quiz below to find out how you make choices about S-E-X. You'll also find TV ads made for teens, by teens to raise awareness on the issue (you can enter—the best ad wins $500!) It's all at StayTeen.org. Girl advocates: There are lots of tools on the site for you too.

And for the teen moms out there, we want you to know that you're not alone. You deserve support, resources and the chance to continue your own healthy development. My mom was a teen mom and she didn't really get that chance until way later in life. Fyi, teen mothers are less likely to complete school and more likely to be single parents. Just another reason to take care of you—before, during and after sex (and all the stuff that goes with it).

 

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<< Previous: Boost Your Body Image | Next:CosmoGIRL! and NYC Young Women's Volunteer Summit >>