Teenage Pregnancy
The facts about teen pregnancy
The issue of teenage pregnancy is one often raised by politicians and media outlets. It is clear from teenage pregnancy statistics that this problem is once again on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that about ⅓ of girls in the United States will become pregnant before the age of 20.
With young mothers there is a risk of complications for both mother and child. Teenage girls who get pregnant in high school also face social stigma and problems completing their educations.
Teenage Pregnancy: Causes
There is a national debate about the causes of teenage pregnancy. Some commonly cited reasons for such high rates of teenage pregnancy include poor moral standards in teenagers, lack of proper sexual education, increased rates of sexual activity and improper use of birth control.
Campaign groups have been asking for abstinence to be taught in schools as the "only option," but evidence suggests that teenagers who learn about contraception and the unpleasant effects of teenage pregnancy actually have lower pregnancy rates.
Outcomes of Teenage Pregnancy
It is easy to overlook the consequences of pregnancy in teenage girls, but these are serious, not only for the girl but also for the general population. Statistics show that nearly 80 percent of teenage mothers use welfare benefits at some point, and teenage pregnancy is connected to lower income throughout the life of the mother.
Teenage mothers also have much higher school dropout rates. Of girls who conceive their first child while in high school, only 1/3 of them go on to earn their diplomas.
Unwanted teenage pregnancy is obviously associated with emotional problems, such as depression, increased rates of alcohol and substance abuse, and abusive romantic and familial relationships. Girls may also be rejected by their families once they become pregnant, leaving them dependent upon the state; one estimate of the cost puts the price of public assistance, child care, foster care and other benefits at around $7 billion per year.
Finally, almost 7 percent of pregnant teenagers receive late prenatal care. Thus, children born to teen mothers often have a low birth weight, with children requiring additional health care throughout their lives.