Teen Pregnancy
The cartoonist has a cartoon that raises my eyebrows. When taking a Sexual Education class, it’s known for the instructor to make a statement along the lines of, “We’re going to talk about where babies come from.” Students learn the anatomy, risks, and consequences of teen pregnancy. However, the cartoon shows the instructor making the statement, “Today in class I’ll be explaining where your babies came from.” I find this very interesting. I feel it shows how many teens getting pregnant often don’t realize the risks, or consequences of the pregnancy. Also, how and where the babes come from.
Teen Pregnancy Data
This graph shows the birth rate in 1000’s for mothers (15-19) over a period of years and is specified by race. Overall, throughout the years it increases for each race. From what I understand of the graph, teen pregnancy is on the rise; to outrageous amounts, in my opinion. Also, minorities are the groups with the highest rates during the years. Being a minority, I wonder the reason behind that as I never got anyone pregnant as a teen.
Let's Party!
I don't think teen pregnancy or sex starts at parites all the time. If a teen wants to have sex, they will regardless of at a party or not. I think parites often cater to this kind of teen as a lot of underage activity goes on. I think this one of those things teenagers do that make them feel adults. They go out into a party with friends and enjoy their time doing what they're doing and maybe having sex. It makes them feel mature and adult like because they're doing these things and look at other oppositely when they learn those people aren't doing the same thing.
"Teen Pregnancy, A Success"
Teen pregnancy is on the rise with every day that passes. “…Arizona’s teen birth rate remains well above the national average…62 births per 1000 female teenagers age 15-19 were the fifth highest in the nation” (Rough). With such high rates, how is a teenager to succeed with their studies and overall life? How about the child? With such high rates, how is the child to succeed with his or her life? Truth is, children having children causes an increase in the difficulty of becoming successful. However, it doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Many times, teens that become pregnant become scared. They don’t know the next steps to take after their realization. And, don’t realize how much their choices are at the expense of the newborn. Usually, they start by telling their parents the news. “Common reactions include anger, guilt and denial. If the father is young and involved, similar reactions can occur in his family” (“When Children…”). The teens also go through their own range of emotions from not wanting the baby, to wanting the baby for an idealized and unrealistic way and depression. Most of the time teens may not seek the proper care they need for themselves and their newborn. With a supportive family, the pregnant teen is not as likely to make as many mistakes. The teen will have guidance on what to do in order to be a parent. A supportive family is needed throughout the pregnancy to aid in the overall success.
Although parents may have many of the reactions and emotions listed above, it is important they be supportive and be there for their pregnant child.
A personal example would be someone in my family. She was pregnant when she was 17. Her parents were angry at first, but realized it had already been done and they needed to be there for her. She is happily married to this day with three healthy children and into her career. I’m sure it wasn’t anywhere easy throughout the process, but things could have been more difficult had the parents not been so supportive. She may not be where she is today.
According to Lisa Jims, Co-Coordinator for Berks County Intermediate Unit, “We all want fewer teen moms, but once these girls get pregnant, we have
to help them…when teenage mothers don’t get help, everyone suffers” (Urban). A teenage mother needs her parents there to help her raise her child, as she is still a child. One teen says she lives at home and her mother provides guidance, child care and financial support. She has been able to keep working and will soon start school to be an RN. “Without my mother, I would have gone crazy,” says the young teen (Urban).
It is vital teens have support from parents and external support groups also. They’re going to be responsible for a child and they don’t even know how
to begin. Such support can make for a better parent; such support can make for better life for the child; such support can make for a positive outcome for all affected by the pregnancy; such support can decrease the high rate of teen pregnancy over time; such support will make for a successful teen pregnancy.
Works Cited
Rough, Ginger. "Teen Birth Rates up Sharply in Arizona." Arizona Local News - Phoenix Arizona News - Phoenix Breaking News
- Azcentral.com. 08 Jan. 2009. Web. 09 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/08/20090108teenbirths0108.html>.
Urban, Mike. "Serious Problems and Success Stories." Berks County News Reading Eagle Newspaper. 23 Sept. 2009. Web.
09 Apr. 2011.
<http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=153698>.
"When Children Have Children." Teen, Teenage Pregnancy - Pregnant, Abortion Alternative, Crisis, Adoption, Adopt, Baby -. Web. 09
Apr. 2011.
< http://www.teenpregnancy.com/teenage/when-children-have-children.html>.
Many times, teens that become pregnant become scared. They don’t know the next steps to take after their realization. And, don’t realize how much their choices are at the expense of the newborn. Usually, they start by telling their parents the news. “Common reactions include anger, guilt and denial. If the father is young and involved, similar reactions can occur in his family” (“When Children…”). The teens also go through their own range of emotions from not wanting the baby, to wanting the baby for an idealized and unrealistic way and depression. Most of the time teens may not seek the proper care they need for themselves and their newborn. With a supportive family, the pregnant teen is not as likely to make as many mistakes. The teen will have guidance on what to do in order to be a parent. A supportive family is needed throughout the pregnancy to aid in the overall success.
Although parents may have many of the reactions and emotions listed above, it is important they be supportive and be there for their pregnant child.
A personal example would be someone in my family. She was pregnant when she was 17. Her parents were angry at first, but realized it had already been done and they needed to be there for her. She is happily married to this day with three healthy children and into her career. I’m sure it wasn’t anywhere easy throughout the process, but things could have been more difficult had the parents not been so supportive. She may not be where she is today.
According to Lisa Jims, Co-Coordinator for Berks County Intermediate Unit, “We all want fewer teen moms, but once these girls get pregnant, we have
to help them…when teenage mothers don’t get help, everyone suffers” (Urban). A teenage mother needs her parents there to help her raise her child, as she is still a child. One teen says she lives at home and her mother provides guidance, child care and financial support. She has been able to keep working and will soon start school to be an RN. “Without my mother, I would have gone crazy,” says the young teen (Urban).
It is vital teens have support from parents and external support groups also. They’re going to be responsible for a child and they don’t even know how
to begin. Such support can make for a better parent; such support can make for better life for the child; such support can make for a positive outcome for all affected by the pregnancy; such support can decrease the high rate of teen pregnancy over time; such support will make for a successful teen pregnancy.
Works Cited
Rough, Ginger. "Teen Birth Rates up Sharply in Arizona." Arizona Local News - Phoenix Arizona News - Phoenix Breaking News
- Azcentral.com. 08 Jan. 2009. Web. 09 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/08/20090108teenbirths0108.html>.
Urban, Mike. "Serious Problems and Success Stories." Berks County News Reading Eagle Newspaper. 23 Sept. 2009. Web.
09 Apr. 2011.
<http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=153698>.
"When Children Have Children." Teen, Teenage Pregnancy - Pregnant, Abortion Alternative, Crisis, Adoption, Adopt, Baby -. Web. 09
Apr. 2011.
< http://www.teenpregnancy.com/teenage/when-children-have-children.html>.
