Whether you have a daughter or a son, raising a child in the Philippines is becoming more concerning. Data on teenage pregnancies in the country continues to worsen year after year.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of registered live births among mothers age 10 to 14 has been steadily increasing over the past five years. From 2,411 cases in 2019, the figure rose to more than 3,000 cases in 2023.
Alarming PSA data on teenage pregnancies in 2023
What's most alarming is that only 22 of these cases involved fathers of the same age as the mothers. Ninety-nine percent were fathered by men much older than the girls, often by those in positions of power, such as acquaintances like neighbors, visitors, or those with economic control over them.
Dr. Jeepy Perez, former executive director of the Commission of Population and Development emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that many of these cases are clear instances of abuse and sexual exploitation.
"If you look at the entire year of 2023, all births to children in 2023 would be on the face of statutory rape. And the numbers are quite alarming," Perez said in a report, during a media discussion on the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in the Philippines.
What the data doesn't show was the repeated acts of abuse these children endure, "Because you only get a 30% chance of getting pregnant with a single sexual act. So you could have 3 or 4 acts before you get pregnant," Perez said.
In another report, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa explained that pregnancies for those 15 below are considered "childhood pregnancies." He said, "We have a big problem with teenage pregnancy. Number one, yan ang nagko-contribute sa maternal mortality kasi hindi sila nagpapa-prenatal [checkup]. Sila ang high-risk sa what we call eclampsia and hemorrhage at childbirth."
Teen pregnancies: What can parents do to protect their children
In the Smart Parenting Village, a Facebook community of over 107,000 members, a concerned parent shared this data, which prompted a discussion on what parents can do to protect their children.
1. Educate your children.
A mom stated that parents should educate their sons, so that they will grow up responsible men. Meanwhile, a dad shared that daughters should also be educated about boundaries and safe relationships.
A mom of three boys shared that she teaches her eldest son about sex and early pregnancy. Another mom of five believes that in doing so, parents can protect their children from predators: "Respect women, discipline, and focus on their goal. It's a constant reminder [I give] to my kids."
How early should parents start conversations about sex with their children? Dr. Rica Cruz, a sex and relationships therapist and a member of Smart Parenting Board of Experts, says as early as two.
2. Teach age-appropriate sex education in schools.
While traditionally, parents should be the first to educate their children about sex, Perez also highlights the urgent need for comprehensive sexuality education among the youth. Studies show that the lack of sex education is primarily the reason that 2 out of 3 children do not report abuse.
Last month, the Senate Bill 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act sparked debates on how sex education should be integrated into the school curriculum. Religious groups raised concerns on the bill, including President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., which led Senator Risa Hontiveros to file a substitute bill with amendments.
The revised bill will be deliberated upon, with senators having the opportunity to raise objections and propose amendments at the plenary level.
3. Limit your child's access to social media.
A Smart Parenting Village mom member pointed out that due to access to pornography and social media, teens are becoming more curious about sex without knowing the consequences. Some parents agree, saying that sexual content is readily accessible through social media apps like TikTok and Instagram.
Unfortunately, some schools require students to create accounts on these platforms for communication purposes, making it harder for parents to regulate their children's exposure. Read about setting parental controls on social media apps here.
4. Believe your child if they report sexual abuse.
Given the PSA data, young teens are being victimized by older men, which could be within their family circles. These could be their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, father figures, or cousins.
In a previous Smart Parenting article, Dr. Rica emphasized that if your child confides in you about abuse, it's best to hear them out without judgment. She advises, "Don’t ask questions such as 'What were you wearing?' or 'Why were you alone?' or 'Why didn’t you say something sooner?' A child who is disclosing this information does not need a barrage of questions. They only need you to listen and support them."
With the data and the insights of today's parents, protecting our children requires the help of a village—parents, teachers, and policymakers. Awareness with action is important. Building a safe environment for our children starts at home. Open communication, setting clear boundaries, and fostering trust are some of the first, practical steps that we can take as parents to keep them safe.
Parents must create a safe space where children feel comfortable discussing difficult topics, such as sex and relationships without shame and fear of judgment. When kids know they are heard and supported, they become less vulnerable to manipulation. For us, reading up on Smart Parenting's Guide on Sex Education is a great place to start.
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