WRI 102-
Teen Pregnancy: Paying the price for your own actions.
Teen pregnancy has always been a problem, but latest studies and statistics show us that even with increased sex education, teen pregnancy is increasing causing many concerns for our society. What is teen pregnancy? The obvious simple answer may be a teenager getting pregnant. Just for a couple of minutes of “fun”, most teenagers put themselves into a lifetime of distress. Furthermore, teens today do not think about the consequences of their actions and then when are put in a difficult situation, regret what they have done. Many teenagers around the world are not provided with the right amount of sex education in their younger years and are not made aware of the consequences of becoming such young parents. Moreover, becoming a young mother affects one’s education and self-esteem and teen mothers are looking for acceptance. Teen pregnancy statistics show us that less than 33% of teen mothers earn their high school diploma. Also, almost 82% of teen pregnancies are unplanned. Additionally, teenage parents are most likely to go through financial difficulties and are very likely to become social outcasts. Following this further, pregnant teenagers undergo many emotions such as depression, shame, anger, sadness and despair.
1 in 3 teen girls in the United States of America is estimated to get pregnant. (Institute, 2010). Nearly 1 million teen girls give birth every year. (Lewin, 2010) For some, a pregnancy come does an unwelcome surprise, others may insensible become pregnant believing that a baby will love them unconditionally. Research tells us that the youngest girl to get pregnant was 5 years of age, although she never revealed the father of the baby, her father was suspecting in sexually molesting her. (IncredibleBirths) Certainly, pregnancy has very important consequences that affect the teen herself, the baby’s father and the baby. Undoubtedly, many teenagers who become pregnant have to face the difficult situation of immediately making choices about their education and future in light of someone else. In other words, pregnant teen moms will have to give up many things in order to become a parent. Also, teen pregnancy can be hard on teen fathers, the pregnancy can strain a relationship with their partner and with their parents and teen fathers do not go as far as school and make less money when they get in the job market with teens who are not fathers. Even though they are young, they are flooded with responsibilities such as aiding the mother emotionally and financially during her pregnancy, and helping her raise the child. Furthermore, a teenager’s emotional health, mental health, physical health and social life will all be affected by a pregnancy and will also be affected by this sudden change.
In general, the children of teenage mothers have lower birth weights and are more likely to perform poorly in school and are at greater risk for abuse and neglect. The sons of these teen mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, while teen daughters are 22% more likely to become teen mothers themselves. (Healthy Teen Network, 2011). Most people say teens should remain abstinent but should have access to contraception. 94% of adults around the world and 91% of teenagers think it is important that school-aged children and teenagers be given a strong message from society that they should abstain from sex until they are out from high school. (Rios, 2011). 78% of adults also think that sexually active teenagers should have access to contraception to prevent seeing pregnancy. Unlike other teens, who’s own future is their primary and maybe only focus, the pregnant teen has someone else to consider. Obviously, “why would they continue the pregnancy?” is a question that may be asked by someone if not by the teen herself. Once a girl is pregnant, there is no easy selection. With pregnancy comes a lot of responsibility and the troubles that arise with an unplanned pregnancy can have a severe effect in a teen’s life. There are many teen mothers out there wishing they had waited for the right time and stage to have a child. Six in ten teen mothers say that they wish they had waited. (Teen Pregnancy Statistics) In addition to this, sometimes the father of the child may wish not to be involved with the child and thus then it is the sole responsibility of the mother to take care and raise the child on her own without any support. In addition to his, nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare.
On the other hand, some teenage mothers see pregnancy as a career move. Undoubtedly, teen pregnancy brings responsibility along. Moreover, the teen becomes more responsible and learns how to become self-dependent. Medical studies conducted by pediatricians tells us that getting pregnant at a young age, results in the teen avoiding the fertility problems that arise with waiting too long to have children. (Family Life, 2010). Generally speaking, a parent begins with zero experience, regardless of their age and with time and experience they learn. It is also said that younger people have more energy for raising a child. Along with teenage pregnancy, a complete new group of responsible young adults will emerge.
In conclusion, even by improving the amount of sex education provided in our schools, by supplying free birth control to our teenagers and raising awareness about STD’s, teen pregnancy rates will not decline. Moreover, unless parents get involved and the media stops elevating teen pregnancy as the “new in”, teen pregnancy rates will not improve. Pursuing this further, teen pregnancy is a very delicate and crucial issue that has for a very long time affected many societies. Parenthood is the main cause why teen girls drop out of school. On the contrary, teenagers are very young to raise kids and they should be the kid that they are and not raise one.
Word Count: 972
Bibliography
Family Life. (2010, February 2). Afternoon Cocktails. Retrieved May 19, 20122, from The Philosophy of Life with a Twist: http://afternooncocktails.com/blog/2010/02/02/kids-having-kids-benefits-of-teenage-pregnancy/
IncredibleBirths. Worlds Youngest Mother. Incredible Births.
Institute, G. (2010). U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions: National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity . Washington D.C.
Healthy Teen Network. (2011). Unique Needs of Children Born to Teen Parents. Baltimore: NonprofitOffice.
Lewin, T. (2010). After Long Decline, Teenage Pregnancy Rate Rises. The New York Times .
Rios, T. (2011). Knowledge Network. Retrieved 2012, from Knoji: http://teens-teenagers.knoji.com/teen-pregnancy-rates-around-the-world/
Teen Pregnancy Statistics. (n.d.). Troubled Teen 101. Retrieved from http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles36.html Dailard, Cynthia. "Abstinence-Only Education Does Not Prevent Teen Pregnancies." Do Abstinence Programs Work? Ed. Christina Fisanick. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "Understanding 'Abstinence ': Implications for Individuals, Programs and Policies." The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy. 2003. 4-6. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 May 2012. http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.aus.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=true&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010603210&mode=view&userGroupName=971sharjah&jsid=705f662425f6f4b6e59552b33124ad4e
Bibliography: Family Life. (2010, February 2). Afternoon Cocktails. Retrieved May 19, 20122, from The Philosophy of Life with a Twist: http://afternooncocktails.com/blog/2010/02/02/kids-having-kids-benefits-of-teenage-pregnancy/ IncredibleBirths. Worlds Youngest Mother. Incredible Births. Institute, G. (2010). U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions: National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity . Washington D.C. Healthy Teen Network. (2011). Unique Needs of Children Born to Teen Parents. Baltimore: NonprofitOffice. Lewin, T. (2010). After Long Decline, Teenage Pregnancy Rate Rises. The New York Times . Rios, T. (2011). Knowledge Network. Retrieved 2012, from Knoji: http://teens-teenagers.knoji.com/teen-pregnancy-rates-around-the-world/ Teen Pregnancy Statistics. (n.d.). Troubled Teen 101. Retrieved from http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles36.html Dailard, Cynthia. "Abstinence-Only Education Does Not Prevent Teen Pregnancies." Do Abstinence Programs Work? Ed. Christina Fisanick. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "Understanding 'Abstinence ': Implications for Individuals, Programs and Policies." The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy. 2003. 4-6. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 May 2012. http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.aus.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=true&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010603210&mode=view&userGroupName=971sharjah&jsid=705f662425f6f4b6e59552b33124ad4e
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In years past teen pregnancy created problems in several countries. However in the United States among teenagers, teen pregnancy rose, but there was no help from programs like the National Geographic’s channel, and Teen Mom that aired on MTV. Individuals saw a version of what might have been with cameras rolling, however if the cameras are not rolling then life takes on a different meaning.…
- 312 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Although popular opinion sometimes indicates otherwise, according to a statistical analysis from the US Department of Health and Services (2014), teen pregnancy rates have been steadily declining for the past twenty years. In America, most teenagers are not yet fully independent from their parents, as teenagers in other cultures sometimes are, so they are not ready to become parents. Since this issue has a huge impact on young women and men affected by it, this may account for the disparity between popular opinion and the statistical data on the subject.…
- 2110 Words
- 11 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Across the United States, federal and state policy-makers are trying to control what they see as an epidemic in adolescent pregnancy. But is there really an epidemic? And, more importantly, when did the American society start to perceive teenage pregnancy as such? Teenage pregnancy is a major concern in today’s society; there are many ways to prevent teen pregnancy, many people to get advice from, and many decisions that a teen parent must make.…
- 356 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The type of structure of each level of government and their functions tend to overlap in regard to how the dilemma of teenage pregnancy is handled. Although on a national level, in 2006, in more than 10 years, for the first time, teenage pregnancy increased to 3% from 2005 to 2006. At a state level, in 2005, Texas had the highest number of teenage births accounting for 62 births per 1000 women, in addition to New Mexico, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Arizona possessing the same number of teenage pregnancies.…
- 792 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Teen pregnacy is one of the most controversial subjects in America, research shows how unhealthy it is for a family’s when there is teen pregnant in the household. Teenage pregnancy has risen and fallen and looked at from many angles as “just” in todays society, thanks to shows such as “16 and pregnant” and ”teen mom” which doesn’t show how hard life would be for most young teenage parents, what hardships they will face. Teen pregnancy is scary no one should have to do it, it’s not a disease it can be avoided, so why is it such a big issue, why haven’t the birth rates aboung teens dropped nearer to zero. The point of this essay is to explain how and why teenage pregnancy is a problem that needs to be dealt with and how it affects life for the mother, father and child.…
- 2686 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
When teens discover they are pregnant, more than 50% of teens will make their first decision about their pregnancy, by telling someone right when they find out themselves. A teen telling another person is a big step for them in the right direction of growing up in this situation. Many teens first tell their parents, the father of the child or a very close friend or family member. Once the big news of a teenager’s pregnancy is known by someone other than themselves, teens then discuss and make the decision of either keeping their baby, giving it up for adoption or getting an abortion. Surprisingly 35% of teens, who become pregnant get an abortion, only 1% of pregnant teens decide to put their baby up for adoption and finally about one third of pregnant teens decide to keep and raise the baby (Wender). Once pregnant teens make their first parenting decision, they then move on to many…
- 1574 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Teen pregnancy is a severe issue in our lives today where people become pregnant because they are insecure or not informed. Nearly four out of ten girls become pregnant at least once before the age of 20 ,but why does this happen? Most teens get pregnant because they want to know how it feels to raise a child or because they see others with children and they find them cute and want them to themselves. Others get pregnant because they don’t know about the different ways to stay safe. Many girls struggle with teen pregnancy because of their low confidence and self-worth. They feel that they are ugly and no male would show them attention unless they give them what they want.…
- 550 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
G-CAAP. (n.d.). Georgia Teen Pregnancy Data. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: http://www.gcapp.org/county-data…
- 817 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Three-quarters of a million teens between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant each year; eighty-two percent of those pregnancies are unplanned (“Peer Pressure Facts About Teenage Pregnancy” 1). Most teens that get pregnant do not have the education, money, or support system to raise a child, thus resulting in a poor life for the mother and the child (Wikipedia “Teenage Pregnancy” 3). Teenage pregnancy is a growing issue, especially in the United States, which is very serious because it deals with the life of another human being. More than one-third of all teenage pregnancies in the U.S. end in abortion (“Teen Abortions” 1). Although the overall teenage pregnancy rate is declining, it is higher in the United States than any other country. With teenage pregnancy being one of the most preventable issues in the U.S., millions of lives could be saved each year if we learn how to prevent the issue. Teen pregnancy has always been portrayed in the media, such as in movies and television shows but, recently, the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy has become a growing trend in the media and continues to become more and more popular. The media is exposing this issue more than ever, by having the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy as the main plot and center of movies and TV shows, as well as in magazines, and many people are questioning whether the issue is being addressed in the right way. Specifically, many people are critical of the issue portrayed in MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom.…
- 5075 Words
- 21 Pages
Best Essays -
“Teenage pregnancy, birth control and abortion.”(Fact Sheet). (2002), SIECUS Report 30.0. 39+ Academic One File. 22.…
- 2374 Words
- 10 Pages
Good Essays -
Every year in America 3 in 10 girl teenagers will get pregnant before the age of 20. That’s nearly 750,000 newborn babies being brought into this world. The teenage couple should be safe and more careful before they know what they are getting themselves into. The popular show Teen Mom shows how difficult a teenage girls’ life would be like a child. The reason this show is on and many watch it, because it could happen to any teenage girl who is sexually active. Not only does it show you the difficulty of having a child, it also shows you the reality of it. The three most difficult challenges of being a teenage mother are lack of adequate finances, education gets put on hold and the father…
- 805 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Teenage pregnancies have become a topic of discussion within most households of today’s society. Recent television shows such as Teen Mom and The Secret Life of an American Teenager has introduced a topic in a major way. Within the past twenty years, the amount of teenage pregnancy has increased by 10 percent (Brown). According to the Medical dictionary teen pregnancy is defined as “Pregnancy by a female, age 13 to 19, which is understood to occur in a girl who hasn’t completed her core education—secondary school—has few or no marketable skills, is financially dependent upon her parents and/or continues to live at home and is mentally immature (Segen’s Medical Dictionary). Teenage pregnancy can be very harmful to not only the mother but also to the infant. With the child being born to a teenage mother it can cause health, social, and emotional problems.…
- 4579 Words
- 19 Pages
Better Essays -
Teenage pregnancy is affecting the graduation rate in high schools. All over the nation the dropout rate of students is increasing, of which teen pregnancy is often a factor. “Approximately 1,000 high school students will drop out with each hour that passes in a school day in America. This means that 30 percent of the class of 2007, or 1.2 million students, were estimated to have dropped out last year” (National Women's Law Center, 2007). Many factors combine to affect a pregnant or parenting teen’s decision to drop out of high school. This paper will discuss these factors, the statistics and history of teen pregnancy, strengths and needs of this population and finally an intervention plan will be proposed based on past evidence to help teen mothers graduate high school.…
- 3714 Words
- 15 Pages
Best Essays -
Most adolescent women have no intention of becoming pregnant. Within the past ten years, pregnancy rates among teenager’s have skyrocketed and a solution to this problem has still yet to be found. “School sex and relationships education has very little impact on teenage pregnancy rates, according to new research.” (Bloom, 2012) The increase of pregnancy has become an issue that has concerned American’s for the past twenty years. But the real concern we are faced with is what should we do about it? Prevention of sexual relations is one of the toughest things Americans have tried to find a solution to. The problem is that these young girls that are faced with having a child at such an early age has to deal with many other things that come along with adolescent birth giving. These factors include financial support, giving up their education possibly, family support, social life, and even the crumble of some relationships. And women who give their children up for adoption or get an abortion have to deal with the emotional suffering that come along with these things.…
- 748 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the US, teen pregnancy rates have been decreasing in the last decade even though current rates remain twice as high as those found in other industrialized nations (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1994). In spite of decreasing rates, among African American teenagers, the pregnancy rate is particularly high. In 1996, the pregnancy rate was 178.9 per thousand among African-American females aged 15 to 19 years, compared with a pregnancy rate of 82.6 among whites (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1999). Additionally, on the basis of the findings of the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, it was determined that African American females (48%) aged 15 to 17 were more likely than their white (34%) counterparts to have had sexual intercourse since menarche. On the basis of information provide by the National Center for Health Statistics (1997), African-American females aged 15 to 19 were more likely than their white peers to have had their first sexual experience (i.e., intercourse) without using effective contraception (24% versus 14%, respectively). Consequently, on the basis of such risky behavior, African American teenagers are at greater risk than their white peers for experiencing a pregnancy.…
- 1659 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays