Members of the Gunn community have not ignored the three percent increase in the number of teen pregnancies over the years. According to Gunn health technician Heather Kavanagh, in addition to mere irresponsibility, one of the triggering factors in the rise in teenage pregnancies is the media. “The media has likely influenced the rise in the number of teen pregnancies,” Kavanagh said. “Young people look at pop stars who are having babies, like Ashley Simpson, Britney Spears and her sister, and because they idolize them, they may be influenced.”

According to Kavanagh, abstinence is encouraged at Gunn is through the living skills class, a graduation requirement that teaches sex education among other topics.However, Kavanagh said that other than providing education on the topic, there is little that can be done on behalf of the administration that could prohibit female students from having sex and getting pregnant. “Teachers are not allowed to give out contraception,” she said. “The school cannot give the message that it promotes sexual behavior. There are places where contraception is available to teens, like Planned Parenthood.”

According to Living Skills teacher Brian Tuomy, abstinence is not encouraged in Living Skills. “Based on California law, we don’t teach abstinence, only education,” Tuomy said. “We don’t tell kids not to do it because then they get the mentality that everything that’s taboo becomes tempting.”

The class merely “teaches protection and barrier methods for both sexes as wells as hormonal-based methods for females so that pregnancy can be prevented,” he said.

Gunn nurse Rose McGinnis believes that parents are liable for the education of their kids regarding sex and that additional information would come best from health professionals. “Parents are responsible for sex education,” she said. “Teachers and health technicians, when approached, could provide this information in a confidential manner. However, it would be best coming from health professionals, referring to students to Planned Parenthood or their private physician.”

In addition to influence from the media, McGinnis also considers the distinctive cultural aspects of teens who get pregnant and have babies. “Some cultures do not look upon teen pregnancy as a negative occurrence,” she said. “These parents support their children.”

According to McGinnis, there are teen pregnancies that she is aware of here at Gunn, and one of these girls made the choice to continue the pregnancy and has obtained much support for her decision to keep the baby.

“A recent teen pregnancy student has received a lot of support from her teachers, health technician and parents,” she said. “Her health insurance agency is supportive as well.”