ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 begins with Claire and Marcus, two student-athletes who experienced an unplanned pregnancy while completing degrees and competing in athletics. Their experiences shed light on multiple realities that influence the occurrence of unplanned pregnancies in college, which this chapter explores. Optimistic biases held by both students and administrations are outlined, as well as optimistic update biases that prevent school employees from acknowledging existing pregnant and parenting student populations, despite the requirement that they do so under Title IX. The chapter also summarizes knowledge gaps that contribute to unplanned pregnancies among young adults, including college students. Addressing these shortfalls, the chapter provides missing puzzle pieces that students should know to better achieve their reproductive goals and that faculty and staff members should review to better support students before and if they become pregnant. Information is presented on male and female reproductive anatomy, sex, the signs and influences of fertility, realities of infertility, pregnancy progression, and nutrition. The authors maintain that adequate and accurate information on men and women’s reproductive health can help college students make more informed decisions, better respect their bodies and their peers’ bodies, and better achieve or avoid pregnancy depending on their goals.
