The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that one out of every three teenage girls will become pregnant at least once before the age of 20. A teenage pregnancy involves more than just the girl. It can involve her parents, the father, his family and the unborn child. If a girl becomes pregnant she has three options---parenthood, adoption or abortion.
Parenthood
Raising a child at any age is difficult and teenagers often feel they are ready when they are not. This can lead to anger and depression later. It is often difficult for teenage mothers to finish school, attend college or get a job. If the teenager chooses to marry the father then there is the added stress of a new marriage and learning how to deal with adult problems such as paying bills and taking care of themselves. There are many classes available that can help teen mothers learn everything from financial responsibility to parenting skills. There are also special high schools that allow teens to bring their babies to school with them. Raising a child as a teenager is often easier with the support of family members.
Closed Adoption
Often, adoption may seem like the hardest option. There are many forms of adoption. Closed adoptions are unusual now, but years ago were quite common. In a closed adoption, the adoptive parents would do the paperwork, put their names on a list and wait. Once the mother gave birth to the baby, the social worker would take possession of the child, the mother would sign over the rights and the agency would bring the baby to the new parents. All records would be sealed and neither party would know anything about the other.
Open Adoption
Today, open adoption is far more common. In an open adoption, the prospective parents create a biography about themselves and their lives and the birth mother gets to screen the parents. When she finds a family she feels may be right for adopting her baby, they meet. Many adoptive parents want the mother to maintain some level of participation in the baby's life. They may agree to send pictures, allow visitation and tell the child all about the birth parents.
Abortion
The third option for teenage mothers is abortion. Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, there are several different procedures that can be performed. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, if a teenager is under the age of 18, she may need to check the laws in her state regarding whether she needs a parent's consent. Many states do not require consent or parental notification. In some smaller towns throughout the United States, there are no abortion clinics, so it may be necessary to drive out of state for the procedure. There are emotional and physical risks associated with abortion and teenagers should speak with an abortion counselor before making a decision.
