The Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy In The United States

An introduction

Teen pregnancy is an issue that affects all countries. Teen pregnancy rates are on the rise. The United States is a country where 3 out 10 teen girls are pregnant before they turn 20. That’s almost 750,000 pregnancies per year. Teen pregnancy is more common because of sex education that is lacking and the media’s influence. It’s a serious problem that could negatively impact teenage mothers, their babies, as well society. This paper addresses the problems of teenage pregnancy and suggests solutions.

What is the situation?

Teen Pregnancy Statistics states that the US has seen a decline in teenage pregnancy rates since 1990s. It fell from 116.8 per 1,000 women in 1990 to 70.6 per 1000 in 2005. The teen birth rate fell sharply between 1991 and 2010, reaching a historical low of 34.3 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-19. Despite a drop of 40% over two decades the U.S. has the highest birth rate among all developed nations. Cleo Moor, in her Complete and Authoritative Book, said that the United States has significantly higher teenage pregnancies than other countries. He also noted that the United States has two pregnancies per five teens. The teen pregnancy rates vary by region and ethnicity. 2008 saw the teen pregnancies rate among Hispanic and African-American teenage girls (aged 15-19 years old) more than double that of white teen girls.

Teen pregnancy is most common because of lack of proper sex education, poor peer pressure, unwelcome sexual intercourse, and lack of parental support.

This education focuses on sexuality and provides knowledge for teens. It also helps them to understand the roles and responsibilities that men and women have in their marital, familial, and community lives. Parents are often too busy to provide the support and guidance their teens need. Parents may feel embarrassed to discuss sex with their children in some cases. They are reluctant to discuss the subject. They may also delay the topic because they don’t know when to educate their children. Research has shown that the majority of teenagers in America have had sex since childhood. They are usually from unhappy families with parents who don’t care enough about their children and their emotional well-being. Some teenagers feel alone in their own homes.

Schools, however, are not paying enough attention to sex education and contraceptive education because they have little to do with academics. The states with the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in 2008 were Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Surprisingly, all six states shared one commonality: they had poor sexual education at schools. Inconsistent birth control usage can also result from a lack of sexual education. Teens can use birthcontrol to prevent teenage pregnancy. But most teens don’t use contraceptives consistent. If a teen is sexually active, there’s a 90% chance that they will become pregnant within one year.

Teenager marks the beginning of adulthood. Teenagers are developing their personalities and behaviors. Teens are more susceptible to getting incorrect sexual information from their peers, friends, movies, sitcoms and TV shows. Many movies and media show teens having to have a baby, but they fail to mention the challenges that teens face after the birth. Teens are encouraged to have sex while they still can. Planned Parenthood reports that “one third” of American television programs has a scene that focuses on sexual behavior. One in ten shows intercourse, but rarely show sexual precautions or the consequences. Teenagers are always eager to belong to the group in adolescence. Teens are under greater pressure to conform to the group. Sometimes teens just do sex because their friends do it.

Teen pregnancies are also caused by unwanted sex interaction. Teen pregnancy can be caused by being sexually abused, raped or neglected by family members, friends and strangers.
A rape is responsible for approximately 5 percent of all teenage births. Most teenage girls who have had sexual experience, particularly those before 15, regret it. They often feel pressured by their boyfriends. Seventy-five percent of girls report that their boyfriends make them sex. These teens often regret having sex, regardless of whether they get pregnant.

What issue is there?

There is a common myth among British teenage girls that having a baby will bring them economic and social benefits. Many studies reveal that teenage pregnancies are almost always unplanned and have negative consequences for both the mother as well as the child’s life chances.

First, teenage pregnancy can have a dramatic impact on your life. Teen mothers often experience disruptions in their learning and face financial difficulties. They are much more likely not to finish high school. About 50% of teenage mothers get a high school diploma by the time they turn 22, while approximately 90% of those who gave birth in adolescence receive it. Teenage mothers may not have the skills necessary to get a job and maintain it. Because of this, she will be more dependent on public aid and likely to become poorer. Teens often resort to unsafe abortion when they feel guilty, ashamed, or unable to find a solution that is appropriate for their circumstances. These procedures can often lead to complications that can sometimes be life-threatening. Abortion can have a lasting psychological effect that lasts throughout a person’s life.

Second, teens mothers are often less able to have children and give birth. The health of young mothers who become pregnant during adolescence is negatively affected by their body’s infancy. Pregnancy complications are much more common in teenage girls than in other teens. Reproductive health professionals stated that girls aged 13-19 years when pregnant are at greater risk of having preterm babies than older women. Children born to adolescent mothers are more likely to die than those born to mothers who had children in their adult years. Teens lack the skills to care for their babies after birth.

Third, a baby that is born to an teen mother has a greater chance of being born prematurely, to low birth weight, or even to death. Teen mothers may also be more likely to have health problems if they lead unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs. Teenage mothers have a higher risk of having lower academic achievement, dropping out of high school, and more health problems. The likelihood that teen mother daughters will become teen moms is 22 percent higher than for their peers.

Teen pregnancy can be very expensive. Teen pregnancy and childbearing are extremely costly and have significant social and financial consequences. These impacts can be both immediate and longer-lasting. U.S. taxpayers lost $9.4 billion in tax revenue due to teen birth and teen pregnancies in 2011.

Answer

The solution is __________.

According to the earlier mentioned causes, family support, appropriate sex education and media campaigns are key factors in reducing teenage pregnancy rates.

First, parents must make time to talk with their children about what they’re doing. Parents should talk to teens about sex and their sexual views. Parents should be there for their kids through all of it. Teens can feel ashamed, embarrassed, or confused when they tell their parents they have unintended pregnancies. It is often difficult for parents to resolve the problem on their own. This is when parents have a crucial role to play in guiding their children. While they might react immediately and become angry when they discover the truth, parents should remain calm and find a way to help their children. Parents should not scold their children. Instead, they should acknowledge their mistakes in teaching and the challenges that adolescents face when confronted with harsh realities. They should also explain what they will do in order to calm tensions and ease confusion. Parents need to help teens adapt and create a plan of action for the future.
Parents should remember to be there for their children and to support them.

It is possible to help teens avoid pregnancy by giving them more information about sex. Schools should offer sex courses that emphasize the importance to abstain from sex, as well as teaching students about contraception methods and birth control. To avoid unsafe and unwanted sex, it is also important for teens to learn how to communicate and bargain with their partners. In order to allow teens to ask questions, schools should provide counseling services. This way, teens will be able to talk about sex with their parents if they are not able to.

Third, developed countries such Germany, France, and Netherland have been able to reduce teen births by encouraging healthy, low-risk sexual behaviour through national media campaigns. It is important to show more educational programs to help teens make decisions about their future. A media campaign is a great way to reach a large number of teens without spending a lot. Many states and national organizations have sought the assistance of the media. “States are now conducting media campaigns in 36 states, up from 15 in 1999. Such campaigns are typically printed and electronic in nature, reaching large numbers of young people through messages that aim to change their behavior.

Assessing

Sex education is my recommendation to stop teenage pregnancy. No matter the background of teens, the parents they live with, or the amount they care about them. Teens can make informed decisions if they are well educated at school. It is important to note that teens will continue to have sexual relations with their peers, regardless of how strongly schools try to discourage them from doing so. It is possible to avoid both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases if you make the right choice. However, it can be difficult to make that decision in today’s American culture. It is vital to provide information and training for teens on contraceptive techniques. Contraception, whether hormonal or barrier, can be used to prevent pregnancy. Schools need to educate teenage boys about safe sex and help them understand the responsibilities of being a father.

In summary

Teenage pregnancy is a topic of concern that has sparked debate among politicians, academics and health professionals. Teen pregnancy is bad news for both the mother and the child. It can also be detrimental to society. While early pregnancy and parenthood can cause many problems, it is not impossible to prevent them from happening again. Schools, communities, and families can educate their teens about sex, relationship, pregnancy, and parenthood. They can also help teens build relationships with their families and offer career counseling.