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Research Paper On Teen Moms

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The number of teen pregnancies keeps getting higher and higher as the years go by. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, nearly 800,000 women under the age of 20 have gotten pregnant. Although it has declined, the rate of teen pregnancies in the United States is the highest of all the nations. It is degraded by society in most places and there is a stereotype that those who become pregnant always drop out of school and ruin their future and career goals. In some places people think it would be better for teen moms to not go back to school. Teen moms have the right to an education just like everybody else. Although it is hard for teens to keep getting an education and pursuing a career, it should still be an option and can be done with …show more content…

Many think that the presence of someone who will have or has had a baby will make others want to do it too. “... an encouragement to her peers to also indulge in premarital sex just because they won’t be sent away should it happen to them” (Umutesi). In Tanzania, President John Magufuli, wanted to ban teen mothers’ education and arrest pregnant teens going to school because of the same reason. He banned them from going to school because he said that if he allowed them to go back every girl would start getting pregnant and the number of teen pregnancies would increase. He stated, “As long as I am president … no pregnant student will be allowed to return to school … After getting pregnant, you are done” (Magufuli). A report made in 2013 showed that more than 55,000 pregnant teens were expelled and not allowed to go back. Others also think that teen moms shouldn’t be allowed to go back to school because they should instead get a job in order to provide for their baby and so that they don’t fall into poverty. Also because they need money to pay for a caregiver if they are going to go to school. “Already being part of a vulnerable group in society, she must gain employment if welfare is not provided and reduce her country’s dependency ratio” (Manmohan). Also, the African American Policy Forum found that sometimes teachers encouraged teen moms to drop out because of all their absences due to …show more content…

There are many other worse things than pregnancy that can encourage others and whether someone else is easily influenced, it is not the person’s fault. Teen moms shouldn’t have to be punished because of someone else’s decisions. Even if they did also get pregnant, it shouldn’t interfere with their education because it is very possible to be successful just like everybody else. It can be done with the help of a program which is why there should be more programs available for teen moms. The case of Sherita Rooney has proved that it is possible to continue with education and go beyond high school education through the help of programs. Rooney, who had her first child at the age of thirteen, was able to continue with her education with the help of the Act 101 program and the Keys Program. They helped her with her grades, attendance, and even offered tutoring which was one of the biggest things that helped her be successful. She was able to graduate Montgomery County Community College and transferred to West Chester University were she hoped to obtain her bachelor’s degree in math education (Haugen 90). Another example of someone who was successful with the help of a program was Yolanda Castaneda. She became pregnant at the age of seventeen and was able to work towards her high school diploma with the help of the Sonoma County’s Adera Program. Another program that has helped

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