Sex education often tends to be mundane and awkward, with students too shy to engage and instructors sometimes lacking the confidence to communicate effectively. So how can we impress upon teenagers the gravity of parenting when their hormones are surging and their judgment is still developing?
A fantastic starting point might be BuzzFeed’s Try Guys’ engaging five-part series on motherhood. In it, these men dive into the realities of parenting, including donning a heavy and cumbersome 20-pound pregnancy belly, changing diapers, and tending to a demanding robotic baby during sleepless nights.
The standout, both cringe-inducing and hilarious, is when the guys undergo labor pain simulations. They were hooked up to machines that mimicked contractions, allowing them to feel firsthand the agony associated with childbirth. Unsurprisingly, they found it incredibly painful. Each man had electrodes placed on various body parts, including their abdomen and back, and they were confronted with graphic descriptions of labor and C-sections that left them visibly shaken.
During the simulation, they all resorted to using the safe word “epidural” to halt the experience—just as I wished I could have at times. Fortunately for them, they weren’t informed that the anesthesiologist was occupied with an emergency C-section, as was my experience.
At the conclusion of the video, one participant looks wide-eyed at the camera and declares, “Your mom is the toughest person on the planet. No matter who you are, your mom is tougher than you.” They then express gratitude towards their mothers. This might not scare teens into being responsible about birth control, but it could instill a newfound appreciation for their mothers. That’s a win-win situation!
For those interested in exploring more about parenting, check out our other blog post on tongue tie in infants at this link. Additionally, if you’re looking for reliable information on home insemination, Make a Mom provides valuable resources. For further insights into pregnancy and home insemination options, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource.
In summary, this enlightening video not only sheds light on the challenges of motherhood but also creates a chance for teens to reflect on the realities of parenthood and appreciate their mothers more deeply.