According to statistics compiled in February
2004 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 34%
of teenage girls get pregnant at least once before they turn 20
(which
is about 820,000 per year). Despite the fact that teen pregnancy
rates are declining in the United States, this data illustrates
the fact that the United States has the highest pregnancy rate
in the industrialized world. Teen pregnancy has negative affects
on teen parents, their children, and society in general.
Negative Affects on Teen Parents- Teen mothers are statistically
less likely to continue their education through high school
and college. In fact, only about 1/3 of teen mothers ever earn
a high
school diploma, and only 1.5% of teen mothers receive a college
degree by the time they are 30 years of age. In addition to
the decline of education prospects, teen mothers also have increased
health risks. In fact, more than a quarter of pregnant teens
report
physical abuse in their relationships. Other health risks
include disorders such as: anemia, hypertension, obesity, and
sexually
transmitted diseases (STD’s).
Anemia- Anemia is a disease where the number of red blood cells
falls below normal and the body gets less oxygen as a result.
Therefore, the body has less energy than it needs to function
correctly. When the number of red blood cells decreases, the heart
has to work harder, which means that it has to pump more blood
in order to distribute oxygen throughout the body. As a result,
one can develop a rapid heartbeat or another serious condition
that enlarges the heart muscle, which can cause heart failure.
Hypertension- When someone has hypertension (also known as high
blood pressure), the force of the blood against ones artery walls
are too strong. Over time, this excessive pressure can damage
your arteries as well as your heart and kidneys. Hypertension
is rather dangerous, for there are no warning signs or symptoms
unless the problem is severe. Hypertension can lead to strokes,
and other deadly afflictions.
Obesity- While we all need some fat tissues in our bodies, having
too much body fat is known as obesity. Obesity is a serious medical
disease that affects about 14% of adolescents in the United States,
and is the second leading cause of preventable death.
STD’s- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) are
diseases that are contracted and spread by having sex with someone
who has one of the diseases. Sexual activity can include contact
with the mouth, anus, vagina and penis (all of which are capable
of giving as well as receiving STD’s). These can be serious
illnesses and require immediate attention. Some STD’s, such
as AIDS, are deadly and have no cure, therefore it is important
to learn ways to protect yourself from STD’s such as:
genital herpes, hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea,
and HIV/AIDS.
Negative Affects on Children- Children born
from teen mothers have a higher chance of experiencing health
problems. In fact,
children born to teen mothers have a 20% higher chance of
being born with low birth weight, which is one of the most common
complications
found in children of teens. Low birth weight can lead to blindness,
deafness, respiratory problems, as well as mental illness,
cerebral palsy, and even death. Not only do children born to
teen mothers
have a higher chance of experiencing health complications,
but they also typically receive less medical care and treatment
than
other children, born to older mothers.
On another note, teen parents are young, inexperienced, and
for the most part, lack a completed education. This has
been known to lead to inadequate parenting,
for one is too young to appropriately provide the kind of environment
that children need to develop and mature properly. Eventually
this will affect
the children’s performance in school, for children of
teenage mothers score lower than average on standardized tests,
and are about twice as likely to
repeat a grade at some point in their education.. Children born to teen
mothers are also twice as likely to be victims of abuse and
neglect.
Negative Affects on Society- Because teen pregnancy rates are
so high in the United States (34% of all females get pregnant
at least once before the age of 20), this can cost our society
billions of dollars each year, as the majority of teen mothers
are single parents, lack a complete education, and end up on welfare.
About $40 billion are spent by the federal government alone to
help these families.
