Environmental Risk Factors
Research on teenage pregnancy risk factors indicates that there are a variety of environmental factors that are strongly correlated to increased rates of teen pregnancy. For example, there is a strong correlation between teen pregnancy and the neighborhood in which the teens live. Teens that live in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty, low levels of education and high residential turnover are at higher risk for teen pregnancy. Family is also a strong indicator of the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Typically, teens that come from poor, less educated, single-parent families are at a greater risk for pregnancy. Teens whose mother or sister gave birth as a teen are also more likely to become pregnant during their teenage years. According to a study which used data from the British National Child Development Survey, daughters of women who gave birth as teenagers are nearly twice as likely as daughters of older mothers to give birth as a teen. Research also indicates that females whose families provide less support and supervision are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers.
Individual Risk Factors
Several individual risk factors may affect whether a teen becomes pregnant. Outwardly, apparent risk factors include poor performance in school, aggressive behavior, engaging in other risky behavior (including using drugs and alcohol), dating at a young age, dating older partners, and not being well-liked by peers. Teens who experience puberty at an early age, males with high levels of testosterone and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse or pressure are also at greater risk of early childbearing. There are also several attitudinal factors that increase the likelihood of a teen becoming pregnant. Females, who have permissive attitudes toward premarital sex, have negative attitudes toward using contraceptives, and either wants to have a child or is ambivalent about having a child during adolescence, is more likely to become pregnant as teenagers. An adolescent female may be ambivalent about becoming pregnant if she has a low expectation for her future, feels unable to control her life or feels isolated. A study of urban adolescent males indicates that males involved with pregnancy are more likely to believe that causing pregnancy is a sign of manhood.
Many of these individual and environmental risk factors may be tied into experiences of poverty. The environment that poverty creates, the lack of resources and support, and the resulting perceptions of limited educational and financial opportunities may reduce the perceived cost of teen pregnancy and motherhood for adolescent females. Having a child may be perceived as the only way to bring meaning into the adolescent’s life.
Opinion on Educations’ Role in preventing teenage pregnancy
Yes, I agree 100% with Noraida’s point that educations play an important role in preventing teenage pregnancy. Encourage teenagers to take school seriously and set high expectations about their school performance. School failure is often the first sign of trouble and can end in teenage parenthood. Keep track of their grades in school and discuss them together. Meet with teachers and principals, guidance counselors, and coaches. Volunteer at the school, if possible.
Education from parents definitely helps too. Studies have found that teens that have a good relationship with their parents are less likely to experience a pregnancy. Therefore, let’s be proactive and do whatever it takes to prevent pregnancy from happening to one of our teenagers. I know it is not easy, and it could feel very awkward to sit down and discuss sex and pregnancy with teenagers, but they need desperately that we do so. I remember when I was a teen my parents never discussed sex and pregnancy with me, but fortunate for me, my grandmother did one day. And she educate me in a very informal way, but I got it and it stuck with me all trough my high school years and beyond. I still remember her words. She said: "you know, there is going to be a time when boys are going to like you, and will tell you that they love you, and a lot of other things to get you in bed with them. But remember this, a boy that proposes that to you does not respect you, and must likely after they get what they want, they will dump you and move on to the next. They might even ridicule you and laugh at you after. They might even tell your pears about it, and give you a bad reputation in school. And worse, you can even get pregnant and get dumped." Those words was all it took for me to remain pure. My advice is - Don't hesitate to talk to your kids about sex, pregnancy, STD's, HIV, and other possible risks. They need you to do so today.
While I was surfing the net looking for information on teenage pregnancy I found out the there are several organizations that offer education programs targeting teenagers. For example, Planned Parenthood has affiliates all over the country and many of these rely on volunteer educators to go out and teach people about sexuality issues. Also, several Boys and Girls Clubs provide education using the Talking to Teens about Tough Issues curriculum (a list of these clubs and a description of the curriculum can be found at http://childrennow.org/toughissues/Talk_Open.html>. I hope this will help on findings the solutions too.
Will be continue……..
Research on teenage pregnancy risk factors indicates that there are a variety of environmental factors that are strongly correlated to increased rates of teen pregnancy. For example, there is a strong correlation between teen pregnancy and the neighborhood in which the teens live. Teens that live in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty, low levels of education and high residential turnover are at higher risk for teen pregnancy. Family is also a strong indicator of the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Typically, teens that come from poor, less educated, single-parent families are at a greater risk for pregnancy. Teens whose mother or sister gave birth as a teen are also more likely to become pregnant during their teenage years. According to a study which used data from the British National Child Development Survey, daughters of women who gave birth as teenagers are nearly twice as likely as daughters of older mothers to give birth as a teen. Research also indicates that females whose families provide less support and supervision are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers.
Individual Risk Factors
Several individual risk factors may affect whether a teen becomes pregnant. Outwardly, apparent risk factors include poor performance in school, aggressive behavior, engaging in other risky behavior (including using drugs and alcohol), dating at a young age, dating older partners, and not being well-liked by peers. Teens who experience puberty at an early age, males with high levels of testosterone and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse or pressure are also at greater risk of early childbearing. There are also several attitudinal factors that increase the likelihood of a teen becoming pregnant. Females, who have permissive attitudes toward premarital sex, have negative attitudes toward using contraceptives, and either wants to have a child or is ambivalent about having a child during adolescence, is more likely to become pregnant as teenagers. An adolescent female may be ambivalent about becoming pregnant if she has a low expectation for her future, feels unable to control her life or feels isolated. A study of urban adolescent males indicates that males involved with pregnancy are more likely to believe that causing pregnancy is a sign of manhood.
Many of these individual and environmental risk factors may be tied into experiences of poverty. The environment that poverty creates, the lack of resources and support, and the resulting perceptions of limited educational and financial opportunities may reduce the perceived cost of teen pregnancy and motherhood for adolescent females. Having a child may be perceived as the only way to bring meaning into the adolescent’s life.
Opinion on Educations’ Role in preventing teenage pregnancy
Yes, I agree 100% with Noraida’s point that educations play an important role in preventing teenage pregnancy. Encourage teenagers to take school seriously and set high expectations about their school performance. School failure is often the first sign of trouble and can end in teenage parenthood. Keep track of their grades in school and discuss them together. Meet with teachers and principals, guidance counselors, and coaches. Volunteer at the school, if possible.
Education from parents definitely helps too. Studies have found that teens that have a good relationship with their parents are less likely to experience a pregnancy. Therefore, let’s be proactive and do whatever it takes to prevent pregnancy from happening to one of our teenagers. I know it is not easy, and it could feel very awkward to sit down and discuss sex and pregnancy with teenagers, but they need desperately that we do so. I remember when I was a teen my parents never discussed sex and pregnancy with me, but fortunate for me, my grandmother did one day. And she educate me in a very informal way, but I got it and it stuck with me all trough my high school years and beyond. I still remember her words. She said: "you know, there is going to be a time when boys are going to like you, and will tell you that they love you, and a lot of other things to get you in bed with them. But remember this, a boy that proposes that to you does not respect you, and must likely after they get what they want, they will dump you and move on to the next. They might even ridicule you and laugh at you after. They might even tell your pears about it, and give you a bad reputation in school. And worse, you can even get pregnant and get dumped." Those words was all it took for me to remain pure. My advice is - Don't hesitate to talk to your kids about sex, pregnancy, STD's, HIV, and other possible risks. They need you to do so today.
While I was surfing the net looking for information on teenage pregnancy I found out the there are several organizations that offer education programs targeting teenagers. For example, Planned Parenthood
Will be continue……..
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