‘Virtual babies’ are basically tools to scare teenagers from having unwanted pregnancies. Let’s face it, teens aren’t really learning anything from these dolls except for keeping them clean and off the ground. During the week of sexual education, you’re penalized for any unethical behaviour that might damage the dolls. At the end of the day, you end up viewing the doll as a liability and nothing else. Now there is a study that proves that ‘virtual babies’ aren’t benefiting students.
The latest study from University of Western Australia have found out that these practices are counterproductive and actually increase teen pregnancy. The researchers had 2,834 girls from the ages of 13 to 15 and half the students received encouragement to think about their decisions and such. Researchers found out that the intervention group had a higher overall pregnancy risk than the control group that received standard health education curriculum.
Personally, I have never used these dolls in any of my sexual health classes and I am also against abstinence education. Information is key and these dolls don’t provide any information to students.
What are your thoughts and opinion on this issue? Do you think we should continue this practice or remove it from our education system?
Adolescentia 
I agree Shane, I don’t think any doll could provide the reality of having a real baby. I think the Scandinavian countries have had more successful approach with their sex education classes.
Leslie
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Not surprised that the dolls don’t help. Teenagers make impulsive decisions and holding a plastic doll isn’t going to change that.
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In 10-15 years, ultra-realistic robot baby dolls might work but I agree that plastic dolls won’t work.
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