Teenage Pregnancy

Adolescence is a pivotal time in child development. The marks of puberty are evident, and adolescent girls begin to experience an exciting yet terrifying part of their lives. Much development is happening, “on average puberty begins at about 10 years old for girls and 12 years old for boys,” (Mossler, R.A 2011). Adolescent girls develop breast, begin to grow pubic hair, and experience vaginal discharge which prepares them for their first menstruation. They also begin to mature sexually. When adolescent girls begin to have monthly menstruations, they should be informed on what is going on with their bodies, and educated on the risks on acting on such sexual behavior that they may encounter daily. One huge risk of acting on sexual behaviors that adolescent girls are bombarded with daily is pregnancy.

Teenage pregnancy affects many which make it even more pertinent to strive to prevent teen pregnancy. “In 2011 a total of 329,797 babies were born to women age 15-19, for a live birth rate 33.3 per 1,000 women in this age group,” (Hamilton BE, Martin, JA, 2012). When a teenage girl gets pregnant it affects not only her but also her family, the father and his family. Teenage girls experience many emotions when getting pregnant, they also experience different emotional reactions such as: not wanting their baby, wanting their baby for idealized or unrealistic ways, and many do not anticipate that their adorable baby can also be demanding and sometimes irritating, (American Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2010). Pregnant teens are at risk for high school dropout could lead to a life of poverty or raising your child on government assistance. Teenagers may consider abortions; however abortions also have emotional feelings attached.

Parents of teenage children should be proactive in sexual education of their teens. It is unrealistic for all teens to abstain from sex before marriage because of the over-sexualization of the media and entertainment, nevertheless the importance on educating teens on safe sex is dire. Contraceptives such as condoms and birth control should be used if teens are sexually active. Teens should be informed of the risk factors if they were to engage in sexual activity. Adolescence is the transition into adult hood, but as teens develop they experience must. It is imperative that adolescent children are guided along the way as they prepare for adulthood.

References

American Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2010. When Children have Children. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org./galleries/FactsforFamilies/31_when_children_have_childrenpdf.

Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. 2012. Preliminary data for 2011. National Vital Statistics Reports. Table 2.

Mossler, R.A. 2011. Child and adolescent development. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.