Unintentional or unplanned pregnancies are a major health concern associated with increased risks of detrimental behaviors, abortions and negative social and birth outcomes (Feldman, 2012). While the rates of pregnancy and childbirth among adolescents under the age of 20 in the United States have been falling since 1990 it is not expected to disappear entirely and remains a national problem (Moeller, 2007). Pregnancy in adolescence have been associated with a variety of poor maternal and infant outcomes. Health risks to teens and their infants include low birth weight, risk of prematurity, developmental delays, and poor prenatal weight gain. The antenatal and postpartum social risks include depression, substance abuse, homelessness, child maltreatment, reliance on public assistance, lack of education, and domestic abuse (Bensussen-Walls & Saewyc, 2001).
Adolescence is a time of major cognitive, social, and physical changes. Parenthood is not a normal age-related tasks for adolescents (Bensussen-Walls & Saewyc, 2001). The age-related tasks of adolescence are focused more on identity growth. Many teens are not well-equipped for the realities of parenthood, usually have little to no knowledge about child development and parenting, and often romanticize the idea of having a baby all while in the midst of gaining independence from their own parents (Strunk, 2008). Simultaneously these girls are not physically prepared for pregnancy and childbirth often lacking the necessary
When considering the financial aspect of teen pregnancy, education regarding the issue should be provided with an increased attention because taxpayers end up billions of dollars on a yearly basis with the purpose of assisting teenage parents. In addition to this, society suffers because most teenagers who become pregnant are unlikely to finish high school. Children of teen parents are probable to suffer more health problems and to perform poorly during school, given that they are typically provided with underprivileged environments.
Current statistics indicate that in the United States 4 out of 10 girls will become pregnant at least once before the age of 20 (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). This population of mothers is more likely to dropout then other adolescents in their age group (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). In fact, more than 60% of teens who give birth before the age of 18 will drop out of high school, putting them at a greater risk of being impoverished later in life (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). Additionally, the children of adolescent mothers are more likely to have complicated deliveries that can lead to chronic medical and developmental problems (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1315). With higher rates of poverty as well as increased pregnancy
It is very common for young adults in the United States to become young parents as early as fifteen years old. In 2014, approximately 24 young women out of a thousand got pregnant from the ages of 15-19. Although this is about a 9% drop sing 2013, teen pregnancy is still a major issue among young, developing adolescents (CDC, 2016). This lifestyle shift has raised many personal concerns within young mothers and fathers about how they will raise their child, but most importantly, how they will prevent another unwanted or unprepared pregnancy. Although prevention in the form of birth control and educational programs are available to young adults, it is common for teenage parents to become pregnant once again shortly after having their first
"Teen pregnancy in the United States: In 2015, a total of 229,715 babies were born to women aged 15-19 years old, for a birth rate of 22.3 per 1,000 women in this age group. This is another record for U.S. teens and a drop of 8% from 2014. Although reasons for the declines are not totally clear, evidence suggests these declines are due to more teens abstaining from sexual activity, and more teens who are sexually active using birth control than in previous years. Still, the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is substantially higher than in other western industrialized nations, and racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in teen birth rates persist (cdc.gov)." As teenagers (in the United States), we are peer pressured or tempted to try new things. Some teens tend to try out drugs, and alcohol. However, some are having unprotected sex in which, is leads to having babies. This is called, teenage pregnancy. This has caused the United States to create records based off of the statistics and facts given from, researchers across the United States. In order to help prevent teenage pregnancy in the United States, teenagers must understand why, having a baby now isn’t such a smart move on their part.
STDs are almost similar to endemic diseases. While the definition of endemic centers on the disease being native to an area, most STDs have always been around since the beginning of time. They always linger in populations; never disappearing completely even with cures and sophisticated treatments. The same goes for unintended pregnancies, while the numbers might reduce, from population to population, them to never completely go away in our communities.
Teenage pregnancy is a major concern in today’s society; there are many factors in a teen’s life that can cause pregnancy. In addition, multiple challenges and hardships will come with teenage pregnancy not only for the female, but also for the male. Being a parent is very demanding and can be hard. The difficulties that come with an unplanned teenage pregnancy can have profound effects on their life. Their physical, mental, and emotional health will be affected by the sudden news that they will be responsible for taking care of a child in the upcoming months. Teens affected by an unplanned pregnancy will need to give up many things in order to become a parent. In addition, they will have to take on more responsibilities that come along
Background: Adolescent pregnancy, primarily occurring in ages 13-18 years, has a negative impact on the physical, psychological, educational, and economic area of the pregnant girls.
While it is easy to summarize teen pregnancy with statistics that offer an insight into the current situation in America, the numbers aren’t able to capture how difficult it truly is for young parents to cope and succeed in their new environments. Televisions shows such as “Teen Mom” aim to shed light and a bit of truth on the subject, but as all reality television is, the editing often misconstrues what it’s actually like. The editing process eliminates many of the mundane daily tasks that must be completed for the wellbeing of the child, including all of the prenatal care that is suggested by doctors. If anything, the importance of prenatal care should be showcased in order to stress how vital it can, especially since so many go without. “Pregnant teens are among the age group most likely to receive no prenatal care or to receive inadequate care, and the younger the teen, the lower the level of care.” (Statistics 2). Those who opt out of such care, are thirty-percent more likely to give birth to a child with a low birth weight (2). Also, the children of teenaged mothers have a fifty-percent higher infant mortality rate compared to the children of mothers’ who were over the age of twenty years old (2). “Low birth weight raises the risk of other health problems for the child, including blindness, deafness, chronic respiratory problems, mental illness, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.” (2). Instead of working to help educate the public, reality shows that picture
Teen pregnancy is a very controversial social issue and the vast majority of Americans consider the outrageous rate of teen pregnancies a severe issue, certainly a problematic occurrence that is believed to be a moral decline in our country. Teenagers are physiologically capable of reproducing but not emotionally or financially prepared to be parents at such a tender age. Through various research studies a plethora of determinants has pin pointed teens unprecedented pregnancies. One cause of this problem is the apparent indication of social separation or disadvantage. Within this issue you would find poverty, single parent households, educational disadvantages on the parents behalf, a lack family/parental support, and unemployment. A child’s educational performance, inappropriate sexual acts, and inferior apprehensions about their futures play a vital role in teen pregnancies as well. Amongst the listed disadvantages the three that take precedent are lacks of family communication, sexual abuse, and poverty. Furthermore, teen mothers do not fit the ideal ideology of the normative scheduling of motherhood, therefore, ultimately resulting in negative consequences for them and society. What needs to be understood is, as to why the numbers of teens are becoming parents at such a vernal age.
The article “Early Pregnancy among Adolescent Females with Serious Emotional Disturbances: Risk Factors and Outcomes” suggest that teenage pregnancy has many disadvantages that affect the child, mother, and society as a whole. Adolescents who have children early are less likely to provide adequately for their children, more likely to drop out of school, and receive assistance from the government (Yampolsya, Brown, & Greenban, 2002). Yampolsya et al., (2002) hypothesized that risk factors are greater for adolescents with serious emotional disturbances than those without. There are two purposes the study aims to investigate. The first purpose was to investigate certain risk factors to determine if they are associated with teen
Teenage pregnancy is often cited as the cause of a number of social problems in the United States. The majority of teen births are unintended and unplanned. Teen pregnancy comes with an increased risk for medical complications as well as social consequences. Some of the many social outcomes that comes with teen pregnancy include having lower educational achievement, lower salaries and being more likely to live in poverty. Parenthood is one of the leading reasons for why adolescents drop out of school. The cause of teen pregnancy is led by many factors. Some of the many factors that are found to be lead to teen pregnancy include lack of knowledge, poor parenting and child maltreatment. In order to prevent teen pregnancy, teens need to receive the proper care from parents, as well as being provided with a comprehensive sex education. From preventing teen pregnancy, our communities can improve social problems that live within the communities.
Teenage pregnancy is widely viewed in our society as a serious problem. According to Pregnant Teen Help, over 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant each year. This is a statistic that has lowered in numbers since the 1990’s mainly due to more teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools and contraceptive availability(). The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate than any other industrialized country in the world. About a third of these teens abort their pregnancies, 14 percent suffer a miscarriage, and 52 percent take their pregnancy to a full term, 72 percent of these teenagers are out of wedlock (). Many of these teenage girls that become pregnant end up with disastrous results they either leave school altogether or miss an entire year due to the pregnancy, thus graduating a year later. They receive low grades or fail due to excessive absences related to health issues. Once the child is born some teenage mothers do not have time to complete homework assignments because they are too tired after seeing to their child’s needs.
Teenage pregnancy is a serious problem in Lucas County. The rate of teenage pregnancy has gone up tremendously over the years. Without a solution, there will continue to be an increase in unplanned children, born with health and mental disorders. Infants born to adolescent mothers are at risk for low birth weight, which is associated with infant mortality, undeveloped organs, bleeding of the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, as well as intestinal problems. “Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks” (Teen Pregnancy). In Particular, teenage mothers are more likely to have a poor eating diet, become anemic, and not take the adequate amount of prenatal multivitamins. The mother may experience high blood pressure, which can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight of the baby, as well as passing it onto the infant. According to Julie Mckinnon “Lucas County has regained the dubious distinction of having the second-highest rate of teen pregnancy statewide, reaching levels not seen since the late 1990s”. Pregnancy within adolescence is exceedingly common and is continuing to increase. There are several solutions to this problem, one is to engage in communication as a parent with teenagers about safe sex. Another solution is making it easier for teenagers to obtain contraceptive methods. The best solution to prevent teenage pregnancy is to make it a law that every school is required to teach education on safe sex, the importance of protection, where to
Teenage pregnancies bring many problems to young mothers. When a young person between the ages of fifteen or seventeen has a baby, this person is most likely not mature enough to handle a child. As I have seen, young mothers feel the need to go out and be with friends instead of sitting at home with a crying child. Young mothers will also most likely be less educated than someone who has a baby at 25 years old. Unintended pregnancy may cause girls to drop out of high schools. Some girls may have a chance of going to college after the baby is grown up, but a lot of women may never get another chance of getting valuable education. Not attending a college or a university can mean not attaining a degree which may be necessary for a job. Teenagers are also more likely to use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. These substances are very dangerous to a child’s life and can lead to several emotional and physical disabilities later in life when the baby is born. “In addition to disruptive psychosocial consequences, adverse biological effects of early childbearing on obstetric course and infant outcome have been reported” (Scott 195).
Let it be noted, bring a new life into the world is a blessing, but consequences may follow. “In the United States only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school. Fewer than 2 percent finish college by age 30” (Postcard, 2013). Unintended pregnancies during school years affect the teenager's education and financial futures. Studies show many girls drop out of school to attend to their children and join the work force, however without a high school diploma, there are not many work opportunities available, thus resulting in the women living in poverty. Furthermore, education is only one of the consequences teens encounter. Health risks for the mother and the child also accompany teen pregnancy. Stanley J. Swierzewski III, M.D., (2000) reviews the Health Communities article about the medical threats. Because of the young age of the mothers, their bodies are not fully developed and may result with stillbirths or childbirth complications ending in death. Childbirth complications and low birth weights are developed because the mothers do not receive prenatal care, or do not follow the proper diets, and regimen. Without the proper care, mothers’ health problems, such as a low level of iron in the blood (anemia), high blood pressure and preterm