PH population body urges parents to talk about sexuality with their kids

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) on Monday encouraged parents to openly discuss sexuality with their children amid the cases of pregnancy among young girls.  

CPD spokesperson Mylin Mirasol Quiray noted there were over 2,000 births from girls aged 10 to 14 in 2019. This increased to more than 3,300 births by 2023, she added. 

“Ang nakakalungkot na balita dito sa teenage pregnancy, yung births sa 10-14, ‘yun po talaga yung nagi-increase. So in 2019, more than 2,000 yung births ng 10-14. Tapos nung 2023, more than 3,300.  So nakita natin, 10-14, ano ginagawa natin nung 10-14 tayo? Naglalaro po. And yet, may mga kababayan tayong buntis na at nanganak na. Ang youngest po talaga ay 8, so nanganak siya ng 9,” said Quiray in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(The sad news is that births among 10 to 14-year-olds are increasing. So in 2019, more than 2,000 births were recorded among those aged 10 to 14. Then in 2023, the figure rose to more than 3,300. When we were 10 to 14 years old, we were just playing. Sadly, some are already pregnant or have given birth at that age. The youngest we have recorded is an 8-year-old girl, so she gave birth when she was 9.) 

CPD pointed out that teenage pregnancies can be attributed to sexual abuse. 

“Nakikita po nating dahilan ay maaring pong may sexual abuse at coercion dahil po di ba po, 16 ang age of sexual consent natin. So kapag less than 16 ang nabuntis, maari pong may sexual abuse at coercion sa anecdotal data or qualitative data natin,” said Quiray. 

(One of the reasons we see behind the rise is sexual abuse and coercion. Because our age of sexual consent is 16, so if they get pregnant before 16, that could be due to sexual abuse or coercion based on our anecdotal data or qualitative data. ) 

The commission added that discussing body parts should be openly discussed at home. 

“Maari rin po yung mga parents natin, hindi nakikipagusap tungkol sa sekswalidad sa ating mga anak. So sinasabi po talaga natin na kausapin ang ating mga anak. Pwede namang calling our body parts as they are…Pwede ring teaching about ‘good touch’, ‘bad touch’, para yung abuse at an early ma-prevent na po,” said Quiray. 

(Maybe also our parents are not discussing sexuality with their kids. So we always encourage them to discuss it with their kids. We can actually call our body parts as they are…You can also teach them about ‘good touch’, ‘bad touch’ so they will be aware of abuse and it can be prevented.) 

The CPD also flagged pornography and other sexual content online. 

“Kapag hindi po talaga ‘yan na-regulate, napaka-available ng mga things na ito sa kabataan,” said Quiray. 

(If that will not be regulated, everything will be available to the youth.) 

A study from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 44% of young Filipino females and 39% of young Filipino males lack material resources about sex, often relying on inaccurate sources like social media. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News