Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy has become a standard in today’s society. It is also beginning to affect younger age groups. One way to prevent teenage pregnancy is the persistence of abstinence programs, better sexual education for junior high students, and the acceptance of preventative measures. With all of these principles implemented in schools and community centers, the amount of teenage abortions will also decrease.
According to smith.edu, over one million teenagers become pregnant each year in the United States with more than 530,000 of those giving birth. Thirteen percent of babies born each year are born to teenagers, most of whom are unmarried and do not have the financial ability to support a child. More woman than you realize will experience a pregnancy while in their teens; forty percent of white woman and sixty four percent of black women.   Eighty percent of these teenagers are not married and even if they are married, the chance of divorce is about eight out of ten. Every fifty six seconds another teenager gives birth in the United States making this the country ranking number one for incidences of teenage births. Seventy percent of these girls do not receive proper prenatal care putting herself and her unborn child at risk and two thirds of teen moms drop out of high school. With little education, young mothers often work minimum wage jobs to support her child. With these startling statistics why do so many teenage girls get pregnant? Are they doing it intentionally? While eighty five percent of teenage pregnancies are not intended or planned, the remaining fifteen percent of teenage pregnancies are intentional. Some teenage pregnancy incidences can be chalked up to carelessness. They don’t believe it can happen to them or they are too embarrassed to purchase condoms, they’re scared of going to the doctor to get on birth control for fear of their parents finding out, or are too drunk or high to think about birth control.   What about the fifteen percent who do... [continues]

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