Teenage pregnancy in US
Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy refers to pregnancy in a female below twenty years of age. Teen pregnancy is associated with various causes and has adverse effects on the affected. Among the risk factors associated with teenage pregnancies are alcohol and drug abuse. The abuse of drugs makes the teenagers make poor decisions including engaging in irresponsible sexual behavior. Influence from their peers also pushes the teens to engage in sexual behavior as they lack an understanding of the consequences of the act. The family environment also contributes to teenage pregnancy. Majority of the children raised in hostile environments characterized by issues like sexual abuse and parents’ instability get pregnant while they are still teenagers (Woodward, Fergusson, & Horwood, 2001).
Adolescents across the world are affected differently by teenage pregnancies. Teenagers in countries where abortion is illegal tend to procure unsafe abortions, endangering their lives. Social life also creates a difference in the health of the teenagers. Teenagers who have access to better health care and reproductive health education tend to lead a better life health-wise compared to those who do not have access(Finer & Zolna, 2011)
Teenage pregnancies bring along health problems to teenagers and babies. Teen mothers face a significant level of stress leading to mental health concerns. The adolescent mother may suffer depression due to the complications arising from pregnancy like preeclampsia and stigma from society at large. Apart from mental health concerns, teen mothers also tend to neglect their physical health while caring for their babies. Teenagers may not have access to or knowledge on healthy eating thus more likely to be obese. The babies may also be born prematurely and have low birth weights (Kumar, Singh, Basu, Pandey, & Bhargava, 2007)
References
Finer, L. B., & Zolna, M. R. (2011). Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006. Contraception, 84(5), 478–485.
Kumar, A., Singh, T., Basu, S., Pandey, S., & Bhargava, V. (2007). Outcome of teenage pregnancy. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 74(10), 927–931.
Woodward, L., Fergusson, D. M., & Horwood, L. J. (2001). Risk Factors and Life Processes Associated with Teenage Pregnancy: Results of a Prospective Study From Birth to 20 Years. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(4), 1170–1184.