According to the March of Dimes, teenage pregnancy rates in the United States are higher than those in most other developed countries. In 2006, approximately one out of 10 babies was born to teenage mothers. Teen parents are more likely than older parents to face problems such as poverty, depression, health issues with their baby and an increased risk of difficulties later in the child's life.
Health Problems With the Baby
Babies of teenage mothers, especially those under the age of 15, are more likely to die during their first year of life than babies born to older mothers, states the March of Dimes. One major reason for this is that very young women are more likely to have their babies prematurely. Prematurity can lead to health issues such as respiratory problems, bleeding in the brain and intestinal problems. Depending on their birth weight, premature babies are 5 to 100 times more likely to die than babies born at term. Teenage mothers are also less likely to seek adequate prenatal care, more likely to smoke and more likely to contract a sexually transmittable disease than mothers over the age of 20, thereby putting their babies at increased risk for health problems or death.
Poverty
According to the March of Dimes, only about 40 percent of teenage mothers earn their high school diplomas. Fewer go on to higher education. With limited education, teenage parents may find it difficult to get employment that pays enough for them to support themselves and their child. About three-fourths of teenage moms rely on welfare assistance before their child is 5 years old. Poverty can make it difficult for young parents to provide themselves and their baby with nutritious foods, regular medical checkups and adequate housing.
Depression
Depression is common among teenage parents. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry lists several reasons for this, such as having unrealistic expectations of what parenting entails, making the choice to keep the baby out of guilt and being overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. The Florida State University Center for Prevention & Early Intervention cautions that babies born to teenage parents may be more likely to suffer from child abuse than other children.
Problems for the Older Child
The problems that teenage parents experience are not limited to the years immediately following their baby's birth. As the child grows, he may be at increased risk for developmental and behavioral problems, says the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention. He is more likely than his peers to be kept back a year in school and less likely to graduate high school. Boys are three times more likely to go to prison, and girls are much more likely to become teenage mothers themselves.
