Updated: Aug. 2, 2016
Originally Published: May 16, 2010
Sex education often gets a bad rap; students are typically too shy to engage, and sometimes even the educators feel awkward. So, how can we effectively communicate the gravity of parenthood to teenagers who are navigating the rollercoaster of hormones and still figuring out their decision-making skills?
Enter BuzzFeed’s Try Guys and their five-part series on the ups and downs of motherhood, which could serve as a perfect introduction. The guys tackle a range of experiences from wearing a hefty 20-pound pregnancy belly to changing messy diapers, and even dealing with sleepless nights courtesy of a fussy robot baby.
But the real standout moment comes when they attempt labor pain simulations. This segment is not only compelling but also a bit cringe-worthy and downright hilarious. The four adventurous souls were hooked up to a machine that induced muscle contractions mimicking labor pain, and guess what? They found it absolutely agonizing!
Electrodes were attached to their bodies—on their abdomens, backs, and, well, let’s just say in some rather sensitive areas. To add to the drama, they also sat through some pretty graphic discussions about labor and C-sections, which seemed to frighten them almost as much as the pain itself.
Each of the guys had a “safe word”—“epidural”—to call it quits when the intensity got too high. And honestly, I’d probably need one too! Thankfully, they weren’t informed that the anesthesiologist was tied up in an emergency C-section, a situation I can relate to from personal experience.
In a moment of stunned realization, one participant turned to the camera and said, “Your mom is the toughest person in the universe. I don’t care who you are—your mom is tougher than you.” They then took a moment to express their gratitude to their moms. Even if this doesn’t scare teens into taking birth control seriously, at least it might foster a bit of appreciation for their mothers. Win-win, right?
For more insights on fertility and parenting, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from March of Dimes. And for those curious about artificial insemination, you can read about it at Make a Mom, where they’re an authority on this topic. If you’re looking for additional information, don’t forget to visit our post about home insemination here.
In summary, the Try Guys’ labor pain episode is a humorous yet eye-opening exploration of parenthood that just might resonate with teens in a way traditional sex ed often fails to.