For a period of about 14 years, teen pregnancy seemed to be on a steady decline. However, as of lately, that trend seems to have come to an end. Unfortunately, teen pregnancy is on the rise again. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, there are 750,000 teen pregnancies annually. Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintentional. However, almost all of them have a negative impact on the educational and socioeconomic aspects of these young girl's lives and create a negative plight on our nation as a whole. Plus, there are negative implications for the babies born to these mothers.
Pregnancy is the number one reason why teens drop out of school. Only 1/3 of teen mothers receive a high school diploma. Less than 2% of them obtain a college degree before the age of 30. Pregnant teens are more likely to fall into a low socioeconomic class and resort to welfare programs for support. In fact, nearly 80% of teen mothers end up on welfare. It is estimated that teen pregnancy costs the United States more than $7 billion dollars annually.
In addition to the problems it causes our economy, teen pregnancy is not good for the babies who are born to teen mothers. The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have a low birth weight, which can lead to developmental problems. They are also more likely to perform poorly in school, and are at greater risk for abuse and neglect. The sons of teenage mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, while the daughters of teenage moms are 33% more likely to become teen mothers themselves. These children are far more likely to suffer from poverty and are more susceptible to social and behavioral problems. Overall, it is not the best way to bring a child into this world.
Preventing teenage pregnancy is everyone's responsibility. Teens need to be educated on the realities of life as a teenage mom. Parents need to talk to their children, explaining the life altering ramifications of starting a family at a young age and alleviating any ideas that it may be glamorous. Teens should be encouraged to value their educational and personal goals and acknowledge future possibilities for growth and success. It is imperative that adolescence understand the importance of using birth control and are encouraged to have moral convictions towards abstinence.
