AboutSuzi Zimmerman Expertise I am a teacher and I write books on teen dating, self-esteem, and values. I can answer questions on making healthy choices, self-improvement, liking yourself, relationships and friendships, goal-setting, values, and how to handle making difficult choices.
Experience Today 1 in 5 sexually active people has HPV (linked to cancer and genital warts) and 1 in 4 has Herpes. 90% of girls who do NOT use condoms become pregnant each year, and AIDS cases are on the rise. Those who do not have sex will not have to deal with these issues, nor will 99% of those who use condoms correctly and consistently. In short, abstain from sex or use condoms - and use them correctly.
Parents of adolescent and teen girls should research Gardasil, a vaccine against many forms of HPV. You may not think your daughter will be sexually active, but this will also offer her certain health protection in the event of rape - or should she become sexually active.
Expert: Suzi Zimmerman Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: age difference
Question Hi, I am a 15 year old girl who is dating a 22 year old guy. We live together and have been dating for like four months now. I am pregnant from him. I was wondering if i am going to to able to put his last name and say that he his my baby's father without him getting into trouble with the law?
Answer I have a series of questions for you:
1. Where are your parents?
2. Where were the condoms?
3. Where was his brain? After all, not only did he have sex with a minor, he got her pregnant.
4. Do you go to school?
5. You do realize there are options besides having and raising the baby?
6. You realize there are much BIGGER problems here than the name on the birth certificate?
7. Does your baby's father realize he's also your rapist, a child molester, and if he's caught, a sex offender possibly for life?
Yes, Alexis, if you have the baby, his name needs to go on the birth certificate AND you need to make sure he pays you child support. This will be hard for him to do from jail. The two of you are not doing each other any favors, you know. He's made you a victim and a 15 year old mother; I'm guessing you'll also be a high school dropout, because 15 is really young, and I can't imagine you managing both school and a baby and a felon boyfriend. He's made himself a sex offender and rapist. I hate to think of what will become of the baby under those circumstances.
No, this is not a polite response, because it's a desperate situation that affects not only you and that selfish 22 year old, but now it affects a baby and your entire community. My ONLY advice is return to your parents (if it's safe; if not, seek the help of a shelter or church), and either have an abortion or give that baby a chance in a stable adoptive family. If you choose to have the baby, get medical help. Discover the wonderful world of condoms or abstinance, and date boys no more than two years your senior. That's the legal age gap in most states.
Furthermore, I must forward this to the authorities. As an adult and an educator, I can get in trouble if I don't.
