Essay on Factors that Lead to Teen Pregnancy - 1363 Words

Factors that Lead to Teen Pregnancy Although the overall rate of teen pregnancy has been declining, the rates have remained high for teens that are most vulnerable. The great majority of Americans believe that teen pregnancies are a serious national problem, indeed a problem that is the major component of what is thought to be national moral decline. However, what causes these teens to become pregnant at such a young age? A large body of research has identified a number of factores that underlie teen sexual and contraceptive behavior, pregnancy, and childbearing. There exists a three part framework of the factors underlying teen pregnancy. There are biological antecedents, including gender, age, testosterone level, and†¦show more content†¦These teens deliberately become pregnant and have babies in order to collect welfare and set up their own households. However, teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty than women who delay childbearing, and nearly half of unmarried teens receive welfare at some time w ithin two years of giving birth. Many pregnant teens believe that their babies will lead lives very different from their own. Poor, inner city, undereducated women live with drug addiction, violence, and a sense of hopelessness. Therefore they feel that by having a child will improve their lives, when in fact they are only exposing their child to the same life they lead. In addition, poor teenagers are more sexually experienced than those of higher incomes, yet they use contracetption less frequently and less successfully, and thus they have higher rates of pregnancy (Trickett, 20). Chances of higher education and well paying jobs diminish substantially for teen mothers. One study documented that teens that prioritize education and future occupations were less likely to become teen parents and they delay their first sexual intercourse. Similarly, poor grades are related to the early initiation of sexual behavior. The direct results of teenage pregnancy frequently include high dropout rates, for one in three pregnant teens do not complete high school. On average, pregnant teens complete fewer years of school. For teens in abusive relationships, sexual and physical violenceShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1720 Words   |  7 Pages Like Amy and Loeber (2009), when it comes to the ecological paradigm of teenage pregnancy, Corcoran, Franklin, and Bennett (2000) also believe one’s socioeconomic status is a huge factor that contributes to this problem. A person’s socioeconomic status a lot of times determines â€Å"education, expanded family size, single-parent household structure, and lessened resources in terms of employment and income.† These three authors claim that educational performance and goals â€Å"dictate the potential costsRead MoreCauses of Teen Pregnancy Essay1472 Words   |  6 PagesResearch shows that teen pregnancy is steadily decreasing. It has dropped more than 44% from 1991 to 2010(Writer); however, in my community it seems to be on the rise. It’s never a surprise to hear someone discussing about a new girl being pregnant. Pregnancy use to be a precious gift, but this generation is turning it into a new trend that they perceive to be as socially acceptable. I wa s raised to receive an education first, marry the love of my life, and then have children. Some people mayRead MoreTeen Pregnancy1426 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Teen pregnancy is often unplanned and challenging for the future life of mother and child. 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The United States represents over 600,000 American teen pregnancies every year, making this the highestRead MoreCauses Of Teen Pregnancy1232 Words   |  5 Pagesbe reported. The United States is no exception to this. They are number one for many issues. Among these is the U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rates. The causes of teen pregnancy in the United States today include substance abuse; broken homes; changes in society; and poor sexual education. For the most part, substance abuse is a leading cause of teen pregnancy. Those who abuse substances like drugs and alcohol do not have the sharpest minds. 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About eighty-five percent of these pregnancies are unplanned, which in any population can increase the risk for problems. The biggest risk for teen mothers is delaying prenatal care or worse, about seven percent received no care at all. According to CDC, In 2014, almost 250,000 babies were bornRead MoreThe Effects Of Media On Teen Pregnancy1085 Words   |  5 Pages I came across an article that explains that the reality TV series â€Å"Teen Mom† and â€Å"16 and Pregnant† has spiked the rate of pregnant teens around 2006 and 2007 when the producers launched the first show 16 and pregnant. This lead to questioning if the hit TV show was affecting the young viewers sexual habits. Parents should enforce what their kids watch on TV, parents definitely have a say in what their underage kids can and can’t watch. There is evidence that raises concerns on sexual behavior.Read MoreTeenage Pregnancy : A Social Issue1551 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage pregnancy rates have been declining in the United States, but when compared to pregnancy rates in other industrial countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom they are still relatively high. (Office of Adolescent Health, 2016). Teenage pregnancy is defined by UNICEF, as an adolescent between the ages of thirteen to nineteen becoming pregnant. (UNICEF Malaysia Communications). Teenage pregnancy is viewed as a social issue because of the way it affects a country’s economy, the mother andRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Research Paper1273 Words   |  6 PagesEffects of Pregnancy Among Adolescent Girls Heather Thedford HS 2013: Health Communications Texas Woman’s Universityâ€Æ' DESCRIPTION Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant (Unicef 2008). These are young girls that have not yet reached adulthood, who are engaging in unprotected sex and have conceived a child from that encounter. Risk Factors Associated with Teen Pregnancy Teen pregnancy has severe health risk factors for the teen mother and