According to the Women's Health Channel, teenage mothers and the babies they give birth to are at risk for developing health problems and social and emotional problems. This is because teenagers are simply not equipped with the experience to handle both the physical and psychological demands of having a child. Therefore, it is important for both teens and their parents to be aware of information about teenage pregnancy and the responsibilities that come with it.
Identification
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reports that the national teenage birth rate rose 3 percent between 2005 and 2006. The center states that this increase is likely because teens failed to use contraception correctly (as the rate at which teenagers are having sex remained about the same as before).
Features
The Women's Health Channel reports that babies who are born to teenage girls usually have low birth weights. Expectant teenage mothers are less likely to refrain from alcohol, drugs and smoking than older expectant mothers. Girls under the age of 18 are also less likely to seek out prenatal care than their older pregnant counterparts. Because of this, the American Medical Association (AMA) reports that babies are four times more likely to die before reaching 1 year of age than babies who are born to women who receive prenatal care.
Significance
The Women's Health Channel reports that 80 percent of pregnant teens will get on welfare at some time in their lives and that as many as two-thirds of them will not graduate high school.
Cause
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that most teenagers do not have proper contraception knowledge, including knowing how to obtain, select and properly use contraceptives.
Prevention/Solution
The most effective way to prevent teenage pregnancy is to educate both male and female teenagers about available contraception options. There are many inexpensive and effective birth control methods couples can choose from. Condoms are the easiest and possibly the cheapest form of protection. The birth control pill is also an effective protection device, though most states do require parental permission for pharmacies to provide minors with birth control packs. Other contraceptives, including an intrauterine device (IUD), birth control patch or injection, can also help prevent pregnancy. A family doctor, however, must be consulted regarding these forms of birth control. Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to prevent teenage pregnancy.
