I feel that if ministers, teachers, and adults as a whole took a more realistic approach to sex and sexuality, they would talk openly and honestly with teens and show them ways to protect themselves.

Christal, 18, works with Advocates for Youth and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) as a member of Georgia Youth Understanding Pregnancy Prevention (G-YUPP).

Many issues contributed to my becoming an activist.  For one, there are so many teens in my community who are pregnant. Recently I saw one of my friends from sophomore year, seven months pregnant. I was not sure at first what to say to her. Then, I remembered; I am an activist and there is a lot I can say. I asked how she was doing and if she needed anything to let me know. Still, walking away from the situation, I was confused that so many of my friends are becoming pregnant.

In the time I have/will be spending with Advocates for Youth, I hope to lower the number of pregnancies in our community. I don’t want my town to be known for its high rates of pregnancy and STIs, but as a beautiful town with students who care more about the future than the moment. I feel that if ministers, teachers, and adults as a whole took a more realistic approach to sex and sexuality, they would talk openly and honestly with teens and show them ways to protect themselves.

I also feel that if teens can talk to adults about things we are used to talking to our peers, we will learn more and have better relationships. But I don’t think my conservative hometown is ready for that. So I am glad that I am an advocate, to help youth my age get through issues they need help with. Now that I am a freshman at Spelman College, I also think that it will be easier to get through to people on just how much sexual education needs to be changed. Even though the process will not be a breeze it will certainly be easier than what I have previously encountered.