Thoughts on teens and "The Business of Being Born"

[StoriesInTheSoil]

(x-posted in Birth and Beyond)

My sister (14) and I just watched The Business of Being Born (I'd already seen it but she wanted to watch it.)

On the special features there is a press conference and a woman in the audience brings up the idea of marketing the movie to High School and College aged persons as a way to influence maternity and birthing choices and care in America. My sister and I discussed this and I asked her if she thinks that she will make different choices than the current American standard if she does ever give birth (she's in the No Kids, No Way, Not Ever stage ) as a result of learning about birth from me instead of wherever the heck everyone else learns about it. She says that especially after the movie she wants to birth only in water and preferably at home. She also wants me to be her doula :

What are your opinions on the idea of educating teens on the benefits of natural birth before their ideas are corrupted by American society?

[MusicianDad]

I think it's something that should be covered with other health topics. No better way to talk a teen into not having sex, then to talk to them about labour...

Alas, I haven't seen the movie because someone checked it out of the local video store six months ago and haven't brought it back yet.

[kolleen9]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

What are your opinions on the idea of educating teens on the benefits of natural birth before their ideas are corrupted by American society?

I love the idea. Not sure if you could get into the schools but you probably could do it at your local library on a Saturday, during the evening or when schools are closed.

/kolleen

[keilonwy]

Originally Posted by MusicianDad

I think it's something that should be covered with other health topics. No better way to talk a teen into not having sex, then to talk to them about labour...

I personally think teaching kids about the sacredness of childbirth, that it is a transformative experience, and that their bodies are very special and should be treated with respect is more effective. I think that studies have shown the people who come out of abstinence-only education (which definitely teaches childbirth hurts, but not much else!) don't really tend to think about the pain 9 months ahead in the heat of the moment .

I also don't think that BOBB portrays childbirth as painful and awful and a reason not to have sex. I'm interested to know what you think after watching it! I think it's a great tool for teens to show normal, healthy birth and I will be showing it to my son (after he stops nursing and maybe can focus his eyes, LOL.). We'll also be having lots of discussions about condoms and respecting his partner as well as himself, though, so hopefully when the time comes for him to make that choice he makes it out of a positive desire for a good experience rather than a negative fear of a bad one.

But, like I said, I've got a few years .

[MusicianDad]

Originally Posted by keilonwy

I personally think teaching kids about the sacredness of childbirth, that it is a transformative experience, and that their bodies are very special and should be treated with respect is more effective. I think that studies have shown the people who come out of abstinence-only education (which definitely teaches childbirth hurts, but not much else!) don't really tend to think about the pain 9 months ahead in the heat of the moment .

I also don't think that BOBB portrays childbirth as painful and awful and a reason not to have sex. I'm interested to know what you think after watching it! I think it's a great tool for teens to show normal, healthy birth and I will be showing it to my son (after he stops nursing and maybe can focus his eyes, LOL.). We'll also be having lots of discussions about condoms and respecting his partner as well as himself, though, so hopefully when the time comes for him to make that choice he makes it out of a positive desire for a good experience rather than a negative fear of a bad one.

But, like I said, I've got a few years .

I'm interested in knowing what I think after watching it too...*sigh*

I'm sure we all know the best way for teens to make a mature and informed descision about sex, is to have the actual information.

[keilonwy]

Originally Posted by MusicianDad

I'm interested in knowing what I think after watching it too...*sigh*

I'm sure we all know the best way for teens to make a mature and informed descision about sex, is to have the actual information.

Didn't mean to bring up a sore subject...do you think the video store would give you the last person's address? You could show up and watch it with them. Take some popcorn!

I think AP helps to teach our children they're respected and valued, and I really hope that helps my son to make a decision about sex that honors himself and his partner. I'm reading the Pre-Teen/Teen board very preemptively

[MusicianDad]

Originally Posted by keilonwy

Didn't mean to bring up a sore subject...do you think the video store would give you the last person's address? You could show up and watch it with them. Take some popcorn!

I think AP helps to teach our children they're respected and valued, and I really hope that helps my son to make a decision about sex that honors himself and his partner. I'm reading the Pre-Teen/Teen board very preemptively

They can't unfortunatly. I'm satisfied knowing that those people are getting a phone call every week (they stop calling everyday after a while) about the movie.

[Cherie2]

is this the one? there is a preview here

[natural_mama89]

I personally think it would do a world of good to get this information out to teens. Like someone else said, it should be included in regular sex education. Also, as a teen mom. I notice that young moms tend to be the most victimized because doctors tend to assume that young=stupid. I hear so many horrible, traumatic birth stories form other young moms I know, most of which they even in hindsight, view as unnecessary. I was 16 when my son was born, and by some fleeting chance, medicalized birth just didn't "feel" right to me, so I sought out a midwife. My primary care doctor even tried to fearmonger me out of my decision and illegally refused to give me a referral. Breastfeeding seemed normal to me even though very few of my family members breastfed, and I didn't circumcise purely because I couldn't afford it and it was at best, unnecessary. The knowledge came later for me. After my initial sparks of interest. Now I actively seek out information on these subjects and aspire to be a midwife one day. Many people are not like me though, lol. I was lucky for those flukes. Real information is more likely to make a real difference. I hope that made some sort of sense. Its late, lol

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

What are your opinions on the idea of educating teens on the benefits of natural birth before their ideas are corrupted by American society?

I think it's wonderful. No better place for such information to come from than from the person who cares more about you than anyone else, your parent. Had your DD heard about childbirth from another kid her own age or another adult that hated their childbirth experience then she may have a whole other take on it. Kudos to you!

[catballou24]

i haven't read all the replies, but i think it's very important to educate kids on all aspects of birth. my ds was 16 when we had dd1 and he was with us for her waterbirth at home. the same a couple years later with dd2. i think he really learned to appreciate the birth process and now is having his own little man at 22 and is helping his fiance make these decisions. he feels like he was educated and able to voice a healthy opinion based on that. so yes, i think it's a great thing for teens to learn about.

how sweet that she wants you to be her doula...

[KaylaBeanie]

I think it would be great. I saw it at age 18, and it solidified everything I'd learned from my sister-in-law and her midwife attended births. My friends who have seen it are also all looking forward to someday having out of hospital births. Playing it in high school would undoubtedly have an ever great effect