Number of teenage mothers mounts in West Australia

WA figures reveal 5 mums aged 13
11 WA mums aged 14
57 WA mums aged 15

HIGH school teens, barely out of primary school, are falling pregnant at an alarming rate.

Birth Registry figures reveal in Western Australia alone, five girl aged just 13 became mothers.

The Sunday Times can reveal that the number of very young mothers in WA jumped by almost 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

WA Births Registry figures show that 73 girls, aged 15 or under, registered as parents in 2009 - up from 62 in 2008.

This included 11 babies born to 14 year olds and 57 babies born to 15 year olds.

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said she was shocked.

"(These girls) are in no way emotionally mature enough to cope with the birthing process let alone the realities of looking after the demands of a baby," Ms McSweeney said.Health Minister Kim Hames shared her alarm.

"It has concerned me to see the number of adolescent girls becoming mothers at such a young age has increased, and it certainly highlights how important our early intervention programs are," Dr Hames said.

Parenting WA manager Donna Legge urged parents to talk openly to their children about sex from a young age.

"Sex education should not be confined to the school system," Ms Legge said. "It's a very wise thing for parents to speak to their children honestly about relationships and sexuality."

Ms Legge said parents could discuss sexuality with their children from as early as primary-school age. She said underage girls would cope with motherhood only if they had a strong family and friend support network.

Ms McSweeney said there were various agencies to help young WA mothers.

Parenting WA offers an around-the-clock helpline for young mothers, family and friends. It also provides one-on-one support for teen parents at home.

Dr Hames said King Edward Memorial Hospital has a clinic that specialises in health care for mothers under 18 and in their first pregnancy.

Opposition child-protection spokeswoman Sue Ellery called for more sex education in the school system.

"It's clear that we need to be more vigilant to the early education of boys and girls about the consequences of sexual activity too early," she said.

My Critique--
It is really saddening to see this news. I am sure that this is not just happening over in australia but in many other countries,, including Malaysia. I agree with the statement in the news that they really not mentally-mature enough to give birth to a new born baby. Some of them not even capable to take care for themselves yet how they are going to bear the responsibility to bring up the baby? Therefore, sex education is a crucial issue to be discussed and take into action. Pre-parenting should also be provided to these teenage mothers.