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Teenage Pregnancy Article
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When Reality Hits – The Effects of Teenage Pregnancy
from:Trying to distinguish the effects of teenage pregnancy is a complex task given the difficulty in separating pre-existing conditions and those that are a direct result of adolescent pregnancy. Despite this complication, though, there is a large amount of research which shows that a pregnant teenager will encounter a great deal of negative effects. First and foremost of these effects of teenage pregnancy is the emotional stress of being pregnant at such a young age and of having to make a decision as to what to do about the pregnancy.
Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school than their peers who are able to avoid pregnancy. Statistics from 1997 show that only 41% of adolescents who have children before they reach 18 years of age graduate from high school, compared to 61% of adolescents from similar backgrounds who delay pregnancy until at least 20 or 21 years of age.
Because many teenage mothers drop out of school, another of the effects of teenage pregnancy is their lack of necessary job skills to be successful in the work force. Many teenage mothers then become dependent on public assistance. Over 75% of all unmarried teen mothers go on welfare within 5 years of the birth of their first child. On the flip side, though, some studies have shown that for teenagers who live in poverty, getting pregnant and being supported by the father of the child could be a “survival mechanism” to avoid an even more hopeless situation.
Adolescent mothers may not have adequate parenting skills and could harm the psycho-social development of their child, resulting in another one of the effects of teenage pregnancy. Studies show that teenage mothers do not provide their children with stimulation through touch, smiling, and verbal communication, nor do they seem sensitive to their child’s needs. Furthermore, children of teenage mothers are more likely to suffer from poor nutrition. Many adolescents, in addition, show a great deal of anger towards their child and rely heavily upon punishment. Indeed, the incidence of developmental disabilities and behavioral issues is higher in children of teenage mothers.
When these children grow up, they often exhibit poor academic performance, failing to graduate, being held back, and scoring poorly on standardized tests. Daughters of teenage mothers are more likely to fall into the trap of teen pregnancy themselves and sons of teenage mothers are three times more likely to go to prison.
Effects of teenage pregnancy also include health risks for the mother and the child. Indeed, women aged 15-19 experience four times the risk of maternal mortality compared to 25 to 29 year old women. The risk is even higher for girls aged 10 to 14 and the children of these adolescent are more likely to fall sick or die in infancy.
Teenage Pregnancy News
'Secret Life of the American Teenager' explores teen pregnancy - Los Angeles Times
 Los Angeles Times | 'Secret Life of the American Teenager' explores teen pregnancy Los Angeles Times, CA - Although the program has sparked renewed interest in teenage pregnancy, it's hardly the first show that has avoided impregnating the usual suspects. ... 'Secret Life of American Teen' back! TV review: 'American Teenager' too busy, clean Shailene Woodley On The Wedding on “Secret Life” |
Expanding the discussion on teen pregnancy - GetReligion
 GetReligion | Expanding the discussion on teen pregnancy GetReligion, DC - At this point in history, however, the general social outlook on teen pregnancy is that it is a net negative. Perhaps this is in part because teen marriage ... ABC’s promising new show on teen pregnancy…just what I have been ... |
Common Ground In The Battle Over Teen Pregnancies - TheDay
Common Ground In The Battle Over Teen Pregnancies TheDay, CT - Obama said, “but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country.” As the national teen-pregnancy rate rises for the ... |
Palin welcomes grandson, daughter discourages teen pregnancy - AFP
 WELT ONLINE | Palin welcomes grandson, daughter discourages teen pregnancy AFP - Bristol Palin's teen pregnancy was revealed shortly after her mother was confirmed as John McCain's running mate in August, and quickly became a campaign ... Video: Defending Bristol's Education Sarah Palin's daughter warns against teenage pregnancy Sarah Palin's teenage daughter Bristol gives birth |
Shaping good health as teens outgrow pediatrician - The Associated Press
Shaping good health as teens outgrow pediatrician The Associated Press - The result: The past decade has brought declines in teen pregnancy and smoking but little other overarching progress. Tweens and teens increasingly are ... |