Who's Responsible?: Exploring the Complexity of Unintended Pregnancy

Abstract

“Who's Responsible?” is an educational experience designed to help participants explore a chain of events that can lead to a teen pregnancy. In this activity, participants read a scenario in which the main character has a boyfriend who would like to have sex with her without using a condom. After attempting to talk about sex and contraception with several adults and peers, she gets little information or support. Shortly thereafter, she has unprotected sex with her boyfriend and gets pregnant. After sharing their individual reactions to the scenario, participants work in groups to discuss several questions about the actions of all of the characters, who is responsible for the outcome, and what the characters could have done differently to prevent the unintended pregnancy. This activity is intended to give participants practice in using critical thinking skills that can be applied to their own sexual decision making process. In addition, this activity can enhance participants’ communication skills and increase the likelihood that they will provide good information and support to others about pregnancy prevention.

KEYWORDS:

• Decision making
• analyzing influences
• case study
• unintended pregnancy
• adolescent pregnancy
• role playing
• responsibility
• lesson plan

Andrew W. Porter, PhD(c), is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University. Patricia Barthalow Koch, PhD, is professor of Biobehavioral Health and director of the Pennsylvania Learning Academy for Sexuality Education, The Pennsylvania State University, and adjunct professor of Human Sexuality at Widener University, Pennsylvania.