The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider teen pregnancy a major concern in the United States. The high prevalence of these often unintended pregnancies not only disrupts families' lives but also has lasting socioeconomic consequences. Parents may be tempted to leave sex education to schools or physicians, but both public health and medical organizations agree that parental guidance is invaluable in preventing teen pregnancy.
Significance
Teen pregnancy remains a major concern in the United States despite falling rates, according to 2009 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics from that year reveal that 409,840 babies were born to U.S. mothers ages 15 to 19. The vast majority of these pregnancies were unintended. These pregnancies do not only affect teens or their families; they are also a substantial financial burden on the American public. Not only do teen pregnancy and its repercussions cost taxpayers over $9 billion annually but adolescent mothers are less likely to finish high school and their children are at greater risk for not graduating, being unemployed and facing incarceration.
Role of Parents
Parents may think they can't have an effect on their teens' behavior, but parental guidance is one of the most important tools in preventing teen pregnancy. A 2004 University of California Cooperative Extension report revealed that teens with strong family ties and parental supervision were less likely to become pregnant. Having a good relationship with their parents -- including open communication about expectations -- is also associated with lower teen pregnancy risk. On the flip side, both overly strict parents and uninvolved parents increase the likelihood that their adolescents will get pregnant, the study found.
Sex Education
Parents must be willing to provide guidance to their teens about sexual activity, although it is often a difficult discussion for them to engage in. Young people are inundated with sexual concepts in today's society. Providing factual information about sex is a must; however, traditional lectures by parents aren't effective, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics' article "Adolescent Sexuality: Talk the Talk Before They Walk the Walk." Parents should instead focus on preparing young people for bodily changes, peer pressure and exposure to sex in the media, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The CDC points out that teens who have open communication with their parents about sex are more likely to use condoms and other birth control methods.
Dealing with Teen Pregnancy
Teens who are facing pregnancy need their parents' support and guidance more than ever. Many people are involved in the situation -- the girl, the baby's father, and their sets of parents. Parents need to guide teen couples about the available options and their consequences. A pregnant teen must decide whether to parent the baby, place the baby for adoption, or end the pregnancy, explains the Mayo Clinic. Getting the assistance of healthcare professionals is also advisable as teen girls are at higher risk for certain health problems and it is important to have proper prenatal care.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Teen Pregnancy
- University of California Cooperative Extension; Best Practices in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Practitioner Handbook; 2004
- HealthyChildren.org; Adolescent Sexuality: Talk the Talk Before They Walk the Walk; Keith Ferrell; 2008
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Teen Pregnancy - Parent and Guardian Resources
- Mayo Clinic: Teen Pregnancy: Help Your Teen Handle Pregnancy
