Teenaged Pregnancy

Each year in the U.S. almost one million teenagers become pregnant, at enormous costs to themselves, and their children, and society (Rose, 2005). While the facts are clear, the issues of teen pregnancy are complicated by our conflicting attitudes and behaviors. Talk of sex fills the airwaves; younger and younger girls are portrayed as sex objects, and sex is used to sell everything from clothing to news. Yet we are shocked at the rising numbers of teens who are sexually active.

There are many social and economic causes of teenage pregnancy. The most primary cause is the lack of knowledge among teenagers regarding the consequences of irresponsible sexual behavior. Most causes of teenage pregnancies are seen in the lower economic part of society where there is a lack of knowledge, awareness, and ability to address the problem of unintended pregnancy (Rose, 2005).

Lack of trust and communication between parents and kids is another important cause of unwanted teen pregnancy (Rosengard, Pollock, Weitzen, Meers, Phipps, 2006). Parental attitude towards their teenaged children and among themselves influence their children’s thoughts and behaviors. If parents are unable to communicate with their children regarding issues relating sex, then their children will resort to acquiring information regarding sex through other sources, which may be unreliable. These other sources usually consist of magazines, television, and peers who are extremely unreliable sources of information and can mislead the child into forming incorrect ideas about sex.

Lack of emotional maturity and independence to act and behave responsibly is another outcome of poor communication and relationships between parents and their teenagers. Many teenagers indulge in irresponsible sexual behavior die to lack of information and awareness regarding sex. Other reasons are peer pressure, inability to express personal views, and frustration in the child is a result in participating in situations that may lead to taking part in sexual behavior, such as alcohol and substance abuse. Inadequate knowledge or awareness regarding reproductive health, contraceptives, and consequences of unintended pregnancy are most often the causes of teenage pregnancy .

Teenaged mothers generally face social disappointment and are seen as outcasts and drop out of school. The lack of social and family support makes them a part of the lower level in society where they cannot afford basic necessities like adequate nutrition and health care (Rosengard, Pollock, Weitzen, Meers, Phipps, 2006). Due to lack of support, awareness and means, these mothers are unable to take proper care of themselves during pregnancy. This lack of care during pregnancy leads to complications in childbirth. Complications such as premature labor and low birth weight of their babies is a result of teenage pregnancies (Rosengard, Pollock, Weitzen, Meers, Phipps, 2006). Babies of teenaged mothers may not be able to receive proper health care and nutrition. They suffer from problems related to mental and physical health.
Along with the unwed mothers, even teenaged fathers pose a risk to the social and economic progress of society. These single parents are unable to provide financial and social support to their babies or families. The frustration leads them to activities like droping out of school, participating in alcohol and substance abuse, and in some cases, even commiting crimes. Experts believe most children of teenaged or unwed mothers also fall into the same trap as their mothers did, and become teenaged or unwed mothers themselves resulting in the formation of a vicious circle (Rose, 2005).



Works Cited
Rosengard, Cynthia, Lealah Pollock, Sherry Weitzen, Ann Meers, and Maureen G. Phipps.
"Concepts of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Teenage Childbearing Among Pregnant Adolescents: a Qualitative Analysis." Pediatrics (2006): 503-508. Academic OneFile. Bristol Community College Library, Fall River.

Rose, Susan. "Going Too Far? Sex, Sin and Social Policy.(Sex Education)." Social Forces (2005): 1207-1226. Academic OneFile. Bristil Community College Library, Fall River.