Teenage pregnancy is one of the most debated and tenacious social issues that exist in the American society for a long time. Teenage pregnancy has triggered over educational system, role of parents and American society since many decades. Teenage pregnancy is very painful for teenagers and it affects every aspect of their life. Teenage pregnancy is hard to digest in the society and people who are related to this issue suffer in many ways. Teenager mothers, fathers, their parents and their relatives suffer a lot in the society. This paper intends to analyze various factors that contribute towards the rise of teenage pregnancy. The paper will also discuss how teenage pregnancy is one of major social challenge in contemporary society.
Discussion
East et al. (2007) in their research study analyzed why teenage pregnancy is rising, and how it is associated with family history. The authors formed assumption that adolescents who had teenage mother or sister are on higher risk of getting pregnant during teenage. Independent variable taken under the study is mother or sister who became parent during teenage. Dependent variable under the study is teenage pregnancy. Under the study, total 127 African-American and Latina adolescent girls were covered. All respondents were interviewed three times during 1994 to 2000. Some other independent variables examined under the study are socio-economic factors, relationship with sibling, mothers’ parenting style, and inadequate support from family. Findings of the research study revealed that compared with girls with no family background of teenage births, girls whose sibling had teenage pregnancy and mother had teenage births are more likely to have teenage pregnancy (ratios, 4.8 & 5.1 respectively). Study finds a positive correlation between family history of teenage pregnancy and chances of teenage pregnancy among adolescent girls (East et al., 2007).
Mahavarkar et al. (2008) in their study conducted a comparative analysis of teenage pregnancy. According to the authors, teenage pregnancy is one of the major high-risk group. The research study analyzed obstetric outcomes in case of teenage pregnancy and in older women pregnancy. Under the research, obstetric outcomes of girls below 19 years and women between ages 19 to 35 were compared. The data of pregnancies and deliveries took place during Aug. 2000 to July 2001 was taken from one hospital. Total sample of 386 teenage pregnancies and 3326 adult pregnancies was analyzed.
Under the study, teenage pregnancy and adult pregnancy were taken as independent variable, and obstetric outcomes were dependent variables. Findings of the study revealed that teenage pregnant women are three times more exposed to the risk of anemia or iron deficiency. Chances of pre-term, and lower weight of new born are also higher in case of teenage pregnancy. The author concluded that in developing countries teenage pregnancy often resulted into poor obstetric outcomes (Mahavarkar et al., 2008).
Paranjothi et al. (2008) in their study analyzed factors contributes towards teenage pregnancy and health of teenage mothers and new born. The authors formed assumption that socio-economic factors contributes toward teenage pregnancy, well-being & poor health is associated with health condition of teenage mother and new born. Under the study girls between age group 15to 17 years were covered. Findings of the study revealed a positive correlation between socio-economic conditions and teenage pregnancy. The authors mentioned how social inequalities contributes towards improper healthcare services to all people (Paranjothy et al., 2009).
Tripp & Viner (2005) in their article analyzed factors contributing towards rising teenage pregnancy and increasing importance of sexual health. The empirical study was conducted by using secondary data collection methods. The authors’ analyzed data and studies conducted on the subject. According to the authors, unsafe sexual behavior and decreasing age of sexual intercourse is resulting into rising teenage pregnancy. Authors also mentioned that unsafe intercourse increase risk of various health problems such as sexually transmitted infections and HIV. According to the data, 10 percent adolescents below 16 years had sex because they were drunk, and 10 percent mentioned that they were forced by their partners. Out of total respondents below 16 years age who had sex, around 50 percent mentioned that they had unsafe sex. Low knowledge on contraceptives and unprepared sex result into teenage pregnancy (Tripp and Viner, 2005).
Ekstrand et al. (2005) in their research study analyzed the factors related with teenage pregnancy such as sexual behavior, contraceptive habits and abortions. Under the study 6 focus group interviews were conducted with seventeen year old girls. Research study findings revealed that girls prefer abortion over pregnancy. According to the respondents, major factors that contribute towards teenage pregnancy are negligence towards use of contraceptive, influence of drugs/alcohol, sexualized media content and casual attitude towards sex. All these factors rise teenage pregnancy and further teenage abortions.
Imamura et al. (2007) in their article described different factors associated with teenage pregnancy across 25 European countries. The authors conducted literature review of the studies conducted from 1995 to 2005 on teenage pregnancy. Out of 4444 selected studies, 20 studies were found meeting the criteria established by the authors such as respondents age 13 to 19 years, and location of survey i.e. EU countries. The findings of the study mentioned various factors that are directly associated with the teenage pregnancy such as poor socio-economic condition, disturbed family structure, poor education, and ambitions. Some individual factors associated with the teenage pregnancy are: risk-taking ability, knowledge of sexual health, lifestyle, and individuals’ attitude towards pregnancy (Imamura et al., 2007).
Ventura et al. (2006) in their research report analyzed the trend of teenage pregnancy in United States. The authors used secondary actual data captured by the census and government sites to measure the trend. Age group considered for the study is 15 to 19 years. The data was distributed according to age, origin and race of the teenage pregnant mother. Results of the study mentioned about 757,000 teenage pregnancy in year 2002, out of which 425,000 resulted in live births and remaining in abortions and fetal losses. According to the data, the occurrence of teenage pregnancy is 76 pregnancies per one thousand girls in age group 15 to 19 years (Ventura et al., 2006).
Mckay & Barrett (2010) performed a comparative study on teenage pregnancy trend in Canada, England, U.S., and Sweden. Under the research study, data available on teenage pregnancy from 1996 to 2006 was analyzed and compared. The authors mentioned about a decline trend in teenage pregnancy. Teenage birth/ abortion rate was lowest in Canada (28 per 1000) and highest in America (61 per thousand).
Amu & Appiah (2006) in their article talk about the increasing problem of teenage pregnancy and efforts made by the authorities to minimize the problems. The authors mentioned that problem is getting worse day-by-day. The author mentioned that people get involved in sex to show their commitment in relationship which may get resulted in pregnancy. Unawareness, poor access and negative attitude towards different contraceptive methods also increasing the problem of teenage pregnancy (Amu and Appiah, 2006).
Chen et al (2007) in their study analyze that rising teenage pregnancy causes adverse birth outcomes. Report find that unpleasant social atmosphere, biological infantile behavior and inadequate care create are responsible for the complicacies that teenagers face during their pregnancy. The main objective of this study is to analyze how rising teenage pregnancy is responsible for adverse birth results. Independent variables, taken into consideration in this study, are unsupportive social environment, inadequate care during pregnancy and immaturity of teenagers. Dependable variable is teenage pregnancy (Chen et al., 2007).
Study was conducted on 3886364 pregnant women. All participants were under 25 years of age. Infants of teenage mothers, who were below seventeen years, possessed higher health risks. Low weight and low Apgar score were some other problems in newly born babies. Study concludes that rising teenage pregnancy causes several problems including adverse birth rates. There are a number of factors that affect the connection of teenage pregnancy and adverse birthrates (Chen et al., 2007).
Limitations
Research study utilized literature data and studies conducted over past ten years on teenage pregnancy. Findings of the study are based on very limited data as no primary research study was conducted on the subject. Limitation of time was one of the factor that may impact the quality of data or information. Primary reach requires substantial time to design data collection tools, selection of respondents, data collection and analysis. The subject is sensitive, hence, there are high chances that teenage mothers hide information and identity.
Usefulness of the Study
The usefulness of studying this issue is directly related to our society. Teenage pregnancy is a social issue and affects our society substantially. Our society does not appreciate teenage pregnancy and people involved in this issue face heat from different sections of the society. The issue is not confined to teenage parents or their relatives only but it directly and substantially affects the newly born child. Since teenage pregnancy directly affects the culture and formation of the society, there is a need to study this issue thoroughly and then implement necessary steps that can improve the situation.
Own Reaction
I believe that teenage pregnancy is very significant issue that affects our society directly, as well as, considerably. There are numerous repercussions of teenage pregnancy and it causes a variety of problems. Apart from creating a disorder in the society, it strikes at our educational system and further creates health related risks for teenage parents and their newly born infants. There is a need to take this issue seriously and make some policies that can effectively handle this issue. Our policy makers should understand that this issue is related to human lives and thus becomes very important. I believe that like policymakers, parents and the society also has a duty towards improving the current scenario. They must educate their teenagers about the seriousness of teenage pregnancy and its repercussions.
Conclusion
Having observed an overview of the subject and considering different studies done on this subject, this paper concludes that teenage pregnancy is one of much debated issues that affect our social arrangement, culture and future. The issue of teenage pregnancy has several stakeholders that get impacted by the pregnancy such as parents of the teenage mother, new born child, teenage mother, father of new born and his family, and society. Various factors that contributes towards teenage pregnancy are poor education, socio-economic conditions, family history and structure, early age of first sex, pressure from partner, poor accessibility to contraceptives, influence of alcohol, lifestyle, attitude, and poor knowledge. Teenage pregnancy is not good for mother and new born, hence, it is important to take measures to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy.
References
Amu, O., and Appiah, K. (2006). Teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom: Are we doing enough? The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 11(4), 314-318.
Chen, XK, Wen, SW, Fleming, N, Demissie, K., Rhoads, GG, and Walker, M. (2007). Teenage pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: a large population based retrospective cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology, 36(2), 368-373.
East, P.L., Reyes, B.T., and Horn, E.J. (2007). Association Between Adolescent Pregnancy And a Family History of Teenage Births. Perspect Sex Reprod Health, 39(2), 108-115.
Ekstrand, M., Larsson, M., Essen, L.V., and Tyden, T. (2005). Swedish teenager perceptions of teenage pregnancy, abortion, sexual behavior, and contraceptive habits – a focus group study among 17-year-old female high-school students. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 84(10), 980–986.
Imamura, M., Tucker, J., Hannaford, P., da Silva, M.O., Astin, M., and Temmerman, M. (2007). Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in the European Union countries: a systematic review. European Journalof Public Health, 17(6), 630-636.
Mahavarkar, S.H., Madhu, C.K., and Mule, V.D. (2008). A comparative study of teenage pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 28(6), 152-162 .
McKay, A., and Barrett, M. (2010). Trends in teen pregnancy rates from 1996-2006: a comparison of Canada, Sweden, U.S.A., and England/Wales. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 19(1-2).
Paranjothy, S., Broughton, H., Adappa, R., & Fone, D. . (2009). Teenage pregnancy: who suffers? Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 94, 239-245.
Tripp, J. and Viner, R. (2005). Sexual health, contraception, and teenage pregnancy. British Medical Journal, 330(7491), 590–593.
Ventura, S.J., Abma, J.C., Mosher, W.D., and Henshaw, S.K. (2006). Recent trends in teenage pregnancy in the United States, 1990–2002. National Center for Health Statistics , 1-10.
