Teen-Parenting Behavior to Prevent a Teenager from Premature Pregnancy

Abstract

The objective of this study was aimed to examine the teen-parenting behavior that prevents the teenagers from premature pregnancy in Tabrang, Prathongkam, akhon Ratchasima Province.

Methodologically, survey was conducted with parents of adolescents aged 10-19 years living in two villages; totaled of 111 households. The interview was used to investigate parenting behavior that prevents the teenagers from premature pregnancy in four following areas; 1) follow-up of learning achievement, 2) instruction, 3) communication, and 4) control of inappropriate behavior. For data analysis, the statistics implemented included percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum.

The results showed parenting behavior that prevents the teenagers from premature pregnancy on follow-up of learning achievement; the highest average score was hearing problems on learning (= 2.65) while the lowest average score was a permission to go to the friend's house in the evening for homework reasons ( = 1.50), on instruction to female adolescences; the highest average score was respect for parents and adults, and be considerate towards others ( = 2.88) while the lowest average score was not stay overnight at other places ( = 2.61), on instruction to male adolescences; the highest average score was respect for parents and adults ( = 2.72) while the lowest average score was not hang out at nightclubs ( = 2.42), on communication; the highest average score was the exchange of ideas ( = 2.59) while the lowest average score was not use harsh words ( = 1.96), and lastly on the control of inappropriate behavior; the highest average score was control not to have sex at school age ( = 2.81) and the lowest average score was not allowed to go to a friend's house overnight ( = 2.46).

The results of this study demonstrated that teen-parenting behavior in the areas with low average scores; e.g. use of harsh words, not restrict the hang out in the nightclubs, and permission to go to a friend's house in the evening for homework reasons; the parenting skills should be developed; especially; communication skills about sexuality, because the healthy family influences preventing the premature pregnancy in teens. The data obtained from this study can be further applied to plan the action research.