Love and Its Consequences

"What is love? How do we define it?

For me, love is a manifestation manipulated by emotions to show appreciation to the one you admire. Some people say, "follow your heart" but I think the heart has nothing to do about love for the only function of the heart is to pump blood that circulates to your body. Love is an emotion so it begins in the nerves then it will be carried to the brain. That is why you're in love because you are thinking that you are.


"When is the right time to love?"

Anytime is the right time, but it is better to have other priorities first. Family, study/career, health, community, etc. if you feel you're ready, wait for an opportunity, when it comes, grab it and never let go. And that is the right time.


"Heart or Brain?"

To answer this simple question, like I said, love is in your brain. What took you so long to choose?


"Then why are we loving without thinking?"

That is because your brain is blocked by love. No new idea enters your mind because you're too busy thinking about love. You can love while thinking, but sometimes we get too fascinated we don't care about the things around us.

Sometimes we fall in love without thinking we don't even think of planning for our future. What are the bad consequences of love? One is teenage pregnancy.

Love can cause teenage pregnancy.

Teenage pregnancy is one serious problem in the Philippines. Last year's statistics show that pregnant teens in the Philippines increased by 70% in the last 10 years. Almost 200, 000 cases of teen pregnancies were recorded from 1999 to 2009 (maybe this year it's over 200k).

Teenagers sometimes get this feeling of arousal, curiosity, excitement and lust.

Let's take a re-enactment (I was in this situation when I was a teenager. Hehe)

Week1:
Boy: Can I kiss you?
Girl: No.
Boy: Just one kiss?
Girl: Hmm. Okay.

Week2:
Boy: Can I squeeze that bum of yours?
Girl: No.
Boy: Just one squeeze?
Girl: Hmm. Okay.

Week3:
Boy: Can I... Umm... Score one?
Girl: But were still young so it's a no.
Boy: Don't worry. We'll just do it once.
Girl: Hmm... Okay.

Week4:
Boy: Can we do it again?
Girl: Last week you said we'll just do it once?
Boy: But I love you.
Girl: Hmm... Okay.

Week5:
Girl: Honey. I think I'm pregnant.
Boy: No.

Teenagers nowadays say that they truly love each other without knowing the right definition of love. Sweet kisses, tight hugs, romantic dates and sex. Then of course, the parents are unaware. Unexpectedly, "mom, dad, _______ and I have decided to get married in a few years so I am asking for your daughter's hand. You have no choice because she's already pregnant." Or, "Mom, dad, I'm pregnant. I'm sorry. " It leaves them no choice but to make them live together but where will they live? In their parent's house? Who will feed them? They're parents? This will cause major problems. Problems to your parents, problems to your child and problems to yourself. How will you raise your child properly and teach them how to love when you can't even define one?

And if you say that it is okay just because your parents are rich and they run a business that you will own in the future then it can't be helped but to say, "what a shame." (Kapal ng mukha mo.)

Teenage pregnancy can break your family.

Let us trace the possible outcomes of love without control.

Outcome number 1. The boy was afraid of taking his responsibility so he ran away and the poor pregnant girl was the one left raising his child alone.

Who's affected? The Kid.

Okay. outcome number 2. The boy took the responsibility to raise his kid. But the boy was unable to find a stable job because he is either under of age, lacking in education, skills or experience. Well if you're not ashamed of yourself you can ask help to your parents (poor parents).

Who's affected? The kid.

Then, outcome number 3. The boy gave up in finding a job so he gave up his responsibility. What happens next? Separation.

Who's affected? The kid.


Love can be regretful in the end

Example? There was a young couple who lived with their parents. They were happy because they love each other. Then, after a few years, things got out of hand. The boy found out that he's not happy anymore. And then what happened? The boy had changed. Drinking alcoholic drinks every night, gambling and worse, infidelity while the girl had no choice to accept it or leave her partner.

Who's affected? The kid.

How can we avoid these kind of tragedies?

To those parents, please orient your kids about love and pregnancy. Talk about the effects and how to avoid the Consequences. Tell them everything they need to know about sex education. Don't be shy in doing what is right. Proper advice and guidance is recommended.

And to the kids who are reading this. Please listen to your parents. Listen to what they have to say. Of course not all of the time they are right because parents aren't perfect, either. If you think they're right, accept it and apply it in your life. If they're wrong, tell them that it is wrong, prove it and suggest a better idea, in a proper manner. If you want to know anything about sex education, don't hesitate, I repeat, DON'T HESITATE to ask questions. Communication is one of the best bonds of the family.

And also think of your parents. They raised you for about 20 years and then this is what they'll get? How will you able to help your parents if most of your time, effort, priority and money is on your child? You think raising a kid is that easy? Take a look at yourself and think twice. How can you raise a child, when you have no idea how to and where to start? How can you raise a child when you yourself are dependent to your parents? How can you raise a child when you yourself are financially dependent? Think it over.

How about this? Try to research informations, statistics, news or articles about teenage pregnancy and share to your community what you have learned. Support a movement or advocacy against teenage pregnancy or you can even organize one. It's just a small way but it can be a big help to others. Proper and accurate information leads to safety.

Love is the greatest power, the strongest force pulled by emotions. Love can make you the happiest person on earth but without control, love can destroy your everything. With love, you may be happy but the price is your future. It's okay to love but make sure it won't affect your future. Planning is the foundation of a happy life. Before making a decision, make sure to not just think twice, not just thrice but hundred times over so in the end, you'll love with no regrets.

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http://www.spot.ph/the-feed/50963/teen-pregnancies-in-ph-increased-by-70-in-last-10-years-says-united-nation-population-fund-agency/