Further, teens whose mother is uneducated, or undereducated, are also more likely to become pregnant. Finally, those teens from homes where the father is absent are also more likely to experience early pregnancy (Queensland Health, 2004).
It is important to note the reasons for concern in term of teen pregnancy, and one strategy to prevention of the problem is the dispersal of such information to teenage females. The children of teens who become pregnant often experience premature birth, low birth weight, increased physical impairment, an increased likelihood of substance abuse, physical abuse, and an increased risk in becoming pregnant early themselves (Queensland Health, 2004). In addition, pregnant teens themselves are less likely to finish school, experience increased anti-social behaviors, and increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse, which further their risk of further teen pregnancies (Hawkins, et al., 1992).
Until families, schools, and communities act to reduce these situational factors, the cycle of teen pregnancy is likely to continue. In doing so, future generations will experience even more situational risk factors, thereby increasing future teen pregnancies.
References
Hawkins, J.D., Catalano, R.F., and Miller, J.Y. (1992). Risk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 64-105.
Queensland Health. (2004). Young people. In C. Harper (Ed.), Health Determinants (pp.16-18).…
