(Dec. 22, 2010) — “I was overjoyed, nervous, scared all at the same time.” These were the words of an anonymous Clark student, whose continuous flow of tears did not show any signs of stopping, as he sat down in the hospital anticipating his baby daughters arrival. “I couldn’t tell if they were tears of joy or tears of pain and grief,” he said. The young father was astounded when he first saw the baby. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. “I had brought a human being into this world.” Teen pregnancy continues to be a major issue in the United States. According to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, one of every ten pregnancies involves teens. According to Education Training Research Associates, 86 percent of Americans believe that students should be taught how to use condoms and birth control pills. On the contrary, 14 percent believe abstinence should be taught. In 2009, more than one third of high school students in the U.S. confessed to having sex. Fourteen percent reported to having more than four partners. With the risk of teen pregnancy on the rise, one may question what schools teach in health class. Coming from a religious background, health teacher Chris Axelgard said he believes that students are not emotionally prepared to engage in a sexual intercourse. “However, the harsh reality is that it’s the students’ personal choice,” he said. Despite his disapproval of sex in high school, Axelgard said that information is never a bad thing; therefore, safe sex should be taught at schools. In opposition to this belief, junior Margarita Ghukasyan claims that schools should encourage students to adopt an abstinent way of life. “I need to respect my Armenian background by resisting the temptations of sex,” she said. Ghukasyan said she believes that sex should not be used for the wrong reasons. “If you are not ready to take care of a baby, then you’re not ready to use sex as an act of gaining pleasure,” she said. Although the sexual intercourse may have initially been for pleasure for this anonymous student, he found more than just temporary pleasure when he saw his newborn. “Most people relate having a child at an early age with hopelessness,” he said. “Ironically, every time I look into my daughter’s eyes all I see is hope.” This student claims to have become more responsible and considerate about his actions ever since he became a father. “Before I do something, I remind myself that now that I’m a father, I cannot afford to mess up,” he said. He also said he has stopped attending parties and goofing off with his friends, as opposed to the lifestyle he used to live, where partying and drinking were a part of his weekly schedule. “I wouldn’t want my daughter to be doing those things when she’s older,” he said. “So it doesn’t make sense for me to do it. I need to set a good example.” With the baby living with her father, this young teen must now also face the hardships, stress and responsibility associated with parenthood. Although the baby is financially looked after by the father’s parents, this Clark student takes responsibility for feeding and cleaning after the baby when he is at home with his child. Having to put up with changing full diapers and hearing the cries of an infant, this new teen father is learning that life is not easy when children have children.