A Negative Effect Of Baby Simulator Programs Is Pregnancy Reveals A Recent Study

Medical Celia Hoffman
http://i2.wp.com/stocknewsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/AP_baby_simulator_cf_160825_12x5_1600.jpg?fit=640%2C268

A study published today by Australian researchers revealed that the use of baby simulators can increase the rate of teenage pregnancy. However, these programs which make use of infant dolls are intended to prevent pregnancy among teenage girls. These dolls not only resemble real babies but they also behave like them. They can cry and require essential baby care such as feeding and diapering.

Sally Brinkman, an associate professor at Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, expressed surprise at the proposed negative effect of these baby simulators in a chat with ABC News. Brinkman, who is also the main author of the study published in The Lancet, disclosed that the research was the first study on the use and effects of simulator dolls in relation to birth and medical data. The researchers studied over 2800 girls who enrolled in 57 Australian schools that included “baby simulator” programs in their curriculum. They found out that about 36% of these girls who were in their early teens were more likely to get pregnant before the age of 20 unlike girls that do not undergo such pregnancy prevention programs.

Reality Works, the manufacturers of the simulator dolls, organizes educational sessions, produces workbooks and even video documentaries on teenage mothers. These products give teenagers the opportunity to experience parenthood and the consequences of becoming pregnant as a teenager. Timm Boettcher, the CEO of Reality Works, explained in a statement to ABC News that the study published on the possible negative effect of baby simulators did not reflect the effectiveness of their product. He insisted that the RealCare Program that involves the use of electronic infants as learning aids should be tested properly as the prescribed 14 hours learning period was shortened by Australians.

Though, the published study did not state the reasons for increase in teenage pregnancy in relation to the fake babies, Brinkman suggested that baby simulator programs is likely to make pregnant teenagers keep their pregnancy.