Unintended Or Unplanned Pregnancies Are A Major Health Concern Associated With Increased Risks

Teenage birth rates, defined as live births per one thousand 15-19-year-old US females, declined by 10% from 2012 to 2013 from 29.4 to 26.5. In fact, the birth rate has been on a steady decline over the past 20 years, from 61.8 in 1991 to 26.5 in 2013. Teenage pregnancy represents both a health and social inequality in our society. Specifically, teenage childbearing is a public health issue because teenage mothers are more likely to experience negative social outcomes such as dropping out of school. This is a self-reinforcing cycle, as children of teenage mothers face higher chances of poor academic achievement as well as getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant in their teenage years (CDC). Although the overall rates of teenage pregnancy have dropped, ultimately, the variations in the rates reflect the intersecting disparities regarding race and ethnicity, income inequality, geography, and environmental factors, which in turn affect access to medical care, education, and resources.

It is very common for young adults in the United States to become young parents as early as fifteen years old. In 2014, approximately 24 young women out of a thousand got pregnant from the ages of 15-19. Although this is about a 9% drop sing 2013, teen pregnancy is still a major issue among young, developing adolescents (CDC, 2016). This lifestyle shift has raised many personal concerns within young mothers and fathers about how they will raise their child, but most importantly, how they will prevent another unwanted or unprepared pregnancy. Although prevention in the form of birth control and educational programs are available to young adults, it is common for teenage parents to become pregnant once again shortly after having their first

An ongoing epidemic in the United Sates is teen pregnancy. In America, our society is run down by many problems. Most are caused by the older generation, but this problem has risen with the younger generation around the age of 15-19. The peak of the teen pregnancy trend started in 1990 when 60 teen girls out of 1,000 had a teen birth ("About Teen Pregnancy.”). For every 1,000 females in 2013, on average only 27 out of the 1,000 had gone through teen birth ("About Teen Pregnancy.”). Over the years, it seems that the trend is winding down and that less and less teens appear to becoming pregnant. In 2013, the teen pregnancy rate decreased by 10% since 2012 and 57% 1990 ("Teen Birth Rate | The National Campaign.”).

Current statistics indicate that in the United States 4 out of 10 girls will become pregnant at least once before the age of 20 (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). This population of mothers is more likely to dropout then other adolescents in their age group (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). In fact, more than 60% of teens who give birth before the age of 18 will drop out of high school, putting them at a greater risk of being impoverished later in life (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1314). Additionally, the children of adolescent mothers are more likely to have complicated deliveries that can lead to chronic medical and developmental problems (Harris & Allgood, 2009, p.1315). With higher rates of poverty as well as increased pregnancy

STDs are almost similar to endemic diseases. While the definition of endemic centers on the disease being native to an area, most STDs have always been around since the beginning of time. They always linger in populations; never disappearing completely even with cures and sophisticated treatments. The same goes for unintended pregnancies, while the numbers might reduce, from population to population, them to never completely go away in our communities.

While it is easy to summarize teen pregnancy with statistics that offer an insight into the current situation in America, the numbers aren’t able to capture how difficult it truly is for young parents to cope and succeed in their new environments. Televisions shows such as “Teen Mom” aim to shed light and a bit of truth on the subject, but as all reality television is, the editing often misconstrues what it’s actually like. The editing process eliminates many of the mundane daily tasks that must be completed for the wellbeing of the child, including all of the prenatal care that is suggested by doctors. If anything, the importance of prenatal care should be showcased in order to stress how vital it can, especially since so many go without. “Pregnant teens are among the age group most likely to receive no prenatal care or to receive inadequate care, and the younger the teen, the lower the level of care.” (Statistics 2). Those who opt out of such care, are thirty-percent more likely to give birth to a child with a low birth weight (2). Also, the children of teenaged mothers have a fifty-percent higher infant mortality rate compared to the children of mothers’ who were over the age of twenty years old (2). “Low birth weight raises the risk of other health problems for the child, including blindness, deafness, chronic respiratory problems, mental illness, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.” (2). Instead of working to help educate the public, reality shows that picture

Let it be noted, bring a new life into the world is a blessing, but consequences may follow. “In the United States only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school. Fewer than 2 percent finish college by age 30” (Postcard, 2013). Unintended pregnancies during school years affect the teenager's education and financial futures. Studies show many girls drop out of school to attend to their children and join the work force, however without a high school diploma, there are not many work opportunities available, thus resulting in the women living in poverty. Furthermore, education is only one of the consequences teens encounter. Health risks for the mother and the child also accompany teen pregnancy. Stanley J. Swierzewski III, M.D., (2000) reviews the Health Communities article about the medical threats. Because of the young age of the mothers, their bodies are not fully developed and may result with stillbirths or childbirth complications ending in death. Childbirth complications and low birth weights are developed because the mothers do not receive prenatal care, or do not follow the proper diets, and regimen. Without the proper care, mothers’ health problems, such as a low level of iron in the blood (anemia), high blood pressure and preterm

Teenage pregnancy is often cited as the cause of a number of social problems in the United States. The majority of teen births are unintended and unplanned. Teen pregnancy comes with an increased risk for medical complications as well as social consequences. Some of the many social outcomes that comes with teen pregnancy include having lower educational achievement, lower salaries and being more likely to live in poverty. Parenthood is one of the leading reasons for why adolescents drop out of school. The cause of teen pregnancy is led by many factors. Some of the many factors that are found to be lead to teen pregnancy include lack of knowledge, poor parenting and child maltreatment. In order to prevent teen pregnancy, teens need to receive the proper care from parents, as well as being provided with a comprehensive sex education. From preventing teen pregnancy, our communities can improve social problems that live within the communities.

Teenage pregnancy is a serious problem in Lucas County. The rate of teenage pregnancy has gone up tremendously over the years. Without a solution, there will continue to be an increase in unplanned children, born with health and mental disorders. Infants born to adolescent mothers are at risk for low birth weight, which is associated with infant mortality, undeveloped organs, bleeding of the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, as well as intestinal problems. “Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks” (Teen Pregnancy). In Particular, teenage mothers are more likely to have a poor eating diet, become anemic, and not take the adequate amount of prenatal multivitamins. The mother may experience high blood pressure, which can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight of the baby, as well as passing it onto the infant. According to Julie Mckinnon “Lucas County has regained the dubious distinction of having the second-highest rate of teen pregnancy statewide, reaching levels not seen since the late 1990s”. Pregnancy within adolescence is exceedingly common and is continuing to increase. There are several solutions to this problem, one is to engage in communication as a parent with teenagers about safe sex. Another solution is making it easier for teenagers to obtain contraceptive methods. The best solution to prevent teenage pregnancy is to make it a law that every school is required to teach education on safe sex, the importance of protection, where to

Teenage pregnancies bring many problems to young mothers. When a young person between the ages of fifteen or seventeen has a baby, this person is most likely not mature enough to handle a child. As I have seen, young mothers feel the need to go out and be with friends instead of sitting at home with a crying child. Young mothers will also most likely be less educated than someone who has a baby at 25 years old. Unintended pregnancy may cause girls to drop out of high schools. Some girls may have a chance of going to college after the baby is grown up, but a lot of women may never get another chance of getting valuable education. Not attending a college or a university can mean not attaining a degree which may be necessary for a job. Teenagers are also more likely to use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. These substances are very dangerous to a child’s life and can lead to several emotional and physical disabilities later in life when the baby is born. “In addition to disruptive psychosocial consequences, adverse biological effects of early childbearing on obstetric course and infant outcome have been reported” (Scott 195).

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT Adolescent pregnancy has long been a worldwide social and educational concern for the developed, developing and underdeveloped countries. Many countries continue to experience high incidence of teenage pregnancy despite the intervention strategies that have been put in place. In 1990 approximately 530,000 teenagers in the United States became pregnant, 51% of whom gave birth (Coley & Chase-Lansdale, 1998).

Teenage pregnancy is a major concern in today’s society; there are many factors in a teen’s life that can cause pregnancy. In addition, multiple challenges and hardships will come with teenage pregnancy not only for the female, but also for the male. Being a parent is very demanding and can be hard. The difficulties that come with an unplanned teenage pregnancy can have profound effects on their life. Their physical, mental, and emotional health will be affected by the sudden news that they will be responsible for taking care of a child in the upcoming months. Teens affected by an unplanned pregnancy will need to give up many things in order to become a parent. In addition, they will have to take on more responsibilities that come along

"Teen pregnancy in the United States: In 2015, a total of 229,715 babies were born to women aged 15-19 years old, for a birth rate of 22.3 per 1,000 women in this age group. This is another record for U.S. teens and a drop of 8% from 2014. Although reasons for the declines are not totally clear, evidence suggests these declines are due to more teens abstaining from sexual activity, and more teens who are sexually active using birth control than in previous years. Still, the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is substantially higher than in other western industrialized nations, and racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in teen birth rates persist (cdc.gov)." As teenagers (in the United States), we are peer pressured or tempted to try new things. Some teens tend to try out drugs, and alcohol. However, some are having unprotected sex in which, is leads to having babies. This is called, teenage pregnancy. This has caused the United States to create records based off of the statistics and facts given from, researchers across the United States. In order to help prevent teenage pregnancy in the United States, teenagers must understand why, having a baby now isn’t such a smart move on their part.

Teen pregnancy is a major concern in our society, but does it benefit or hinder our teen parents? The U.S teen pregnancy rate is substantially higher than in other western industrialized nations, additionally, a total of over 229,000 babies were born to women aged 15-19 years in 2015 for a rate of 22.3 per 1,000 women in this age group (CDC, 2017). While becoming a parent is a wonderful experience and a blessing, teen pregnancy should be prevented because the health behaviors associated with teen pregnancy are hazardous to good health, increases the parent’s school dropout rate, and causes substantial social and economic costs through impacts on teen parents and their children.

Teenage pregnancy is widely viewed in our society as a serious problem. According to Pregnant Teen Help, over 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant each year. This is a statistic that has lowered in numbers since the 1990’s mainly due to more teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools and contraceptive availability(). The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate than any other industrialized country in the world. About a third of these teens abort their pregnancies, 14 percent suffer a miscarriage, and 52 percent take their pregnancy to a full term, 72 percent of these teenagers are out of wedlock (). Many of these teenage girls that become pregnant end up with disastrous results they either leave school altogether or miss an entire year due to the pregnancy, thus graduating a year later. They receive low grades or fail due to excessive absences related to health issues. Once the child is born some teenage mothers do not have time to complete homework assignments because they are too tired after seeing to their child’s needs.