Teen Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy and What She Chose
In 26 states teen birth rates are on a rise and in 15 years the United States rate increased for the first time. When facing an unplanned pregnancy teens choose abortion for many reasons. Most young girls considering abortion are influenced by where she lives, her religious beliefs, her relationship with her parents, access to family planning services, and the reactions of her peers. Her educational level and socioeconomic status also play a role. They must also consider do they want the baby? Can they afford to raise the child? How will it impact her life? Am I ready to be a mother? According to Family First Aid, “The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the world and it costs the United States at least $7 billion annually.” Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before the age of 20 -- about 820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens. “Teen pregnancy is one consequence of early unprotected sexual activity. Limited life options, rather than ethnic or cultural background, place many youth at higher risk for unintended pregnancy (Fitzgibbon, 2002).” At school or from her friends she may hear much about “safe sex,” but, there is definitely no foolproof method or trick to pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. [pic] Abstinence is the only way established to work and never fails as a birth control method. Birth control pills and the use of condoms may seem like the perfect birth control routines, but none of these methods is certain to prevent pregnancy. Abstinence costs nothing; it just takes self-control. Abstinence is very effective and realistic sensible. Most teens 13-16 years have not engaged in sexual intercourse (Weyrich, 2005). The girls are concerned about the adverse consequences, which include pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, even
In 26 states teen birth rates are on a rise and in 15 years the United States rate increased for the first time. When facing an unplanned pregnancy teens choose abortion for many reasons. Most young girls considering abortion are influenced by where she lives, her religious beliefs, her relationship with her parents, access to family planning services, and the reactions of her peers. Her educational level and socioeconomic status also play a role. They must also consider do they want the baby? Can they afford to raise the child? How will it impact her life? Am I ready to be a mother? According to Family First Aid, “The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the world and it costs the United States at least $7 billion annually.” Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before the age of 20 -- about 820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens. “Teen pregnancy is one consequence of early unprotected sexual activity. Limited life options, rather than ethnic or cultural background, place many youth at higher risk for unintended pregnancy (Fitzgibbon, 2002).” At school or from her friends she may hear much about “safe sex,” but, there is definitely no foolproof method or trick to pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. [pic] Abstinence is the only way established to work and never fails as a birth control method. Birth control pills and the use of condoms may seem like the perfect birth control routines, but none of these methods is certain to prevent pregnancy. Abstinence costs nothing; it just takes self-control. Abstinence is very effective and realistic sensible. Most teens 13-16 years have not engaged in sexual intercourse (Weyrich, 2005). The girls are concerned about the adverse consequences, which include pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, even
References: Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. (2010). . Retrieved from http://www.plannedparenthood.org Fitzgibbon, J. (2002). Teenage Pregnancy. Encyclopedia of Public Health, (4). Watson, D. (1993,). Teens Who Choose Birth. Daily Break Newspaper. Weyrich, P. (2005). Abstinence Education Works.