Out of all the industrialized countries of the world, the United States has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy's website, StayTeen.org. Because there are several risks associated with teenage pregnancy, all teenagers should take the time to learn the facts and what can be done to prevent it from happening to them.
Significance
Although pregnancy can be a time of joy, the timing has to be right. Having a baby as a teenager carries many health risks to the mother and baby. Pregnant teenagers in the United States often do not receive proper prenatal care and are at greater risk for pregnancy complications like high blood pressure. The babies are more often born prematurely and at a lower birth weight than those babies born to older mothers. Teenage pregnancy can also have severe mental, social and emotional repercussions for the teenager as well. Losing friends, having to drop out of school and not having the freedom they used to can be extremely difficult for these teens.
Considerations
Pregnant teenagers need to learn to put their babies' needs first. Unfortunately, the March of Dimes states that pregnant teenagers often do not take as good care of themselves as older mothers, doing such things as smoking or drinking while pregnant, or not getting proper prenatal care. However, gaining the appropriate amount of weight, eating healthy, taking prenatal vitamins and getting appropriate prenatal care from a doctor can help ensure that babies will be born healthy. In addition, pregnant teenagers need to realize that things like smoking, alcohol and drugs can be extremely dangerous to their unborn baby, and they need to avoid these things at all costs the entire time they are pregnant.
Misconceptions
Many teenage girls who get pregnant intentionally believe it will help their relationships. They may be convinced that their boyfriends will be there to help them raise the babies, or they will all be one big, happy family. Unfortunately, according to StayTeen.org, eight out of 10 teenage fathers in the United States do not end up marrying the mothers of their children. The site goes on to say that these fathers typically pay less than $800 a year for child support because they often do not have the financial means to help. Teenage girls may think their relationships are different, but should examine the statistics to realize that things may not go according to their plans.
Prevention
While it is important that teenagers realize that abstinence is the only method that is completely effective at preventing pregnancy, they also need to thoroughly understand how to get and use contraception. In addition, educating parents of teenagers about things they can do can also help. Parents often feel shut out of their teenagers' lives, but many teenagers still listen to their parents even when they don't seem like it. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy suggests that parents be clear about their own sexual morals and values, and talk to children about sex frequently and from an early age. Proper supervision, knowledge about the teens' friends and knowing about their favorite TV shows, music, books and websites may help prevent teenage pregnancy. Discouraging early dating and not allowing teens to date much older partners can also be useful. Parents should also help teenagers build a future that is more appealing than teen parenthood, valuing education and, most importantly, having a close relationship with teens.
Warning
It may seem obvious that teenage pregnancy can have severe emotional, mental and even physical repercussions for the teenage mother and father. However, the children of teenage parents are also at risk. According to StayTeen.org, babies of teenage mothers are more likely to be have premature births, have a low birth weight, and are twice as likely to suffer neglect or abuse. These children are 50 percent more likely to repeat a grade, less likely to finish high school and do poorer on standardized tests. Finally, daughters of teenage mothers are three times as likely to also become pregnant as teenagers, and sons of teenage mothers are twice as likely to end up in jail.
