Teen Pregnancy: The Role of Parental Support
A significant proportion of babies in the U.S. are born to women aged 15 to 19 years. In 2014 alone, 249,078 babies were delivered by teenage women, representing a birth rate of 24 in every 1,000 females in this age category (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). This represents a historic low in the prevalence of teen pregnancy in the U.S. compared to two decades ago, with delayed and/or reduced sexual activity as well as increased use of birth control among teens believed to be the major contributors of the decline (CDC, 2016). Even so, teen pregnancy in the U.S. remains the highest in the developed world (Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2016).
Whereas majority of teen births are unintended and occur outside marriage, it is important to note that many of these are intended (Sekharan et al., 2015). At times, teens may make a conscious decision to be mothers. Regrettably, whether intended or not, teen pregnancy is often condemned and shamed by parents, families, schools, and the society at large. Indeed, most discourses, efforts, and interventions in this area are predominantly obsessed with preventing teen pregnancy (Weed, Nicholson & Farris, 2014; Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016). While the teen pregnancy may have negative consequences on both the mother and the child, it is crucial for parents to offer encouragement and support whenever their teenager(s) express a deliberate intention to become mothers. This paper critically highlights why it is important for parents and the society to understand teens' perspectives on pregnancy, and why social support is crucial for the teen's overall wellbeing.
Teen Perspectives on Pregnancy
The general assumption is that all teen pregnancies are unwanted. From the media and schools to the family and the society at large, pregnant teens are usually seen as promiscuous, deviant individuals who will never achieve anything significant in life. Nonetheless, not every teenager perceives their pregnancy as unplanned (Weed, Nicholson & Farris, 2014). Indeed, a number of studies conducted in the U.S. reveal that up to 12% of teenage women consciously elect to become pregnant (Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016), with the prevalence of planned teen pregnancy being greater in African-American and Latin American teens compared to their Caucasian counterparts (Sekharan et al., 2015). This group (teenagers who deliberately plan to become mothers) tends to have a positive attitude towards early childbearing. In spite of the associated hardship, they view young motherhood as a source of positive influence and transformation on one's life (Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016). They envision motherhood as a more attractive option compared to
Also, they tend to be fond of babies and playing with them.
For some, parenthood compensates for something they perceive to be missing in/from their life or they are resentful about, such as lack of formal or informal occupation and/or a miserable childhood (Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016). The desire for early childbearing may further be motivated by the yearning for a new sense of identity, the need for ending involvement in risky behaviours, the urge to complete birthing early, as well as the need to secure one's relationship with their boyfriend (Weed, Nicholson & Farris, 2014; Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016). Unluckily, the reality of planned teen pregnancy has received little attention compared to unintended adolescent pregnancies (Sekharan et al., 2015).
While some positive perceptions about pregnancy carry significance and tangible meaning, the downside cannot be ignored altogether. From a health perspective, teen pregnancy may result in complications for both the mother and the baby. It may lead to premature delivery, hypertension, low birth weight and other obstetric complications, which may cause maternal and infant morbidities and mortalities (Sekharan et al., 2015). Nevertheless, these complications are not necessarily restricted to teenage pregnancies -- older females may also experience them.
Furthermore, in some cases, one may end up regretting even when the pregnancy was planned (Macutkiewicz & MacBeth, 2016). Contrary to expectations, a pregnancy may hinder one's freedom, obstruct the achievement of other life goals such as education and career, as well as deteriorate one's relationship with their romantic partner and/or parents. Also, teen pregnancy may lead to stigmatisation, imposing a substantial psychological burden on the teen (Sekharan et al., 2015). One may experience stress, depression, and feelings of rejection, causing one to regret the decision altogether. One may also regret planned teen pregnancy when they encounter practical child-rearing difficulties, especially when left to their own means. Bringing up children is without a doubt a complex responsibility, both financially and non-financially. When deciding to get pregnant, teenagers may often fail to anticipate with these complexities and eventualities, that lead to regrets.
The Importance of Parental Support in Teen Pregnancy
It follows from the discussion that teen pregnancy can…
Abortion trends varied widely by state as well. "Teenage abortion rates were highest in New York (41 per 1,000), New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware and Connecticut. By contrast, teenagers in South Dakota (6 per 1,000), Utah, Kentucky, Nebraska and North Dakota all had abortion rates of eight or fewer per 1,000 women aged 15 -- 19. More than half of teenage pregnancies ended in abortion in New Jersey, New York and
This large number was selected to ensure that the power of statistical tests used in the study is of sufficient power to draw valid conclusions. It is expected that given the sensitive nature of the subject, there will be large numbers of selected participants who will decide not to participate, will drop out, or whose parents will not sign the consent form. All participants selected will be taken from
Moreover, an 'abstinence-only' education program is sometimes perceived by teenagers as providing one-sided and medically inaccurate information. (Studies by Kirby, 1997 and Huberman, quoted in "Reducing Teenage Pregnancy" 2006) shift in attitudes towards teenage sexuality must occur in the U.S. To facilitate the development of appropriate policies and programs to reduce teenage pregnancy. Presently, sexual activity, rather than the pregnancies that can result from it, is seen as the
The result of this, as seen above, is that these mothers lack job skills, making it difficult not only to find employment that could adequately support themselves and their children, but also to retain these jobs once they find them. The result is that about 64% of children born under such conditions live in poverty, compared to 7% of children born to married women older than 20 and who
Teenage Pregnancy The disadvantages of teen pregnancy Teen pregnancy is increasing worldwide and the accompanying negative effects have dire implications for society. Countries have engaged in aggressive campaigns to arrest and limit the number of teens becoming pregnant. There has been limited success from the approaches utilized because of the multiple variables that influence a teenage to engage in sexual behavior. A critical part of the problem is that most teens are
Typically, class does have an effect upon teen pregnency for a variety of reasons. The urban poor tend to have less access to some of the opportunities and activities of middle and upper class girls; they are often alone longer during the day because their mother or grandmother is working; they often do not have access to the same amount of information about birth control and/or abstinance that other children;
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