ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Youth Pregnancy Risk Rises During Aruba School Holidays, according to Monique Giel-Labad of Wit Gele Kruis (WGK), who says previous years’ data show an increase in teenage pregnancies during the July–August and December vacation periods.
Giel-Labad explained that the rise is often linked to teenagers spending long periods at home without adequate adult supervision.
Social Media Increasing Risks
According to WGK, many teenagers meet new people through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, with online conversations sometimes leading to in-person meetings and sexual relationships.
Giel-Labad noted that many pregnancies occur after a first sexual encounter, and in numerous cases the teenage mother knows very little about the father. Most of the young people involved are between 15 and 16 years old.
Parents Play A Key Role
While schools continue to provide sexual education and prevention programs, WGK stressed that parents remain the most important influence in protecting young people.
Giel-Labad encouraged parents to actively supervise their children, establish clear boundaries, and stay informed about the challenges teenagers face today.
She also emphasized that even when parents are at home, they may not always be aware of what is happening if teenagers are left unsupervised for extended periods.
Keeping Teens Engaged During Vacation
With the summer school holiday approaching, WGK is encouraging families to keep teenagers engaged in positive and supervised activities.
Suggested options include cooking classes, sports, art programs, and other hobbies that match a teenager’s interests and reduce idle time.
The Youth Pregnancy Risk Rises During Aruba School Holidays campaign highlights the importance of parental involvement, supervision, and open communication to help reduce teenage pregnancy and support healthy decision-making among Aruba’s youth.
