Teen Pregnancy

In 2009, there was 39.1 teens (15-19) birth rate in every 1000 which was lowest. Younger teens from the age group of 15-17 also declined 7 percent from 2008 to 2009 which was significantly low since 2001. There was also decline in older teens from the age group of 18-19by 6 percent which was also a record breaking rate since 1971-72. Among this age group, birth rates in whites was 46.1, blacks 97.5,, and Asian Pacific teens was 25.7 per 1000. The program has been effective in using contraceptives effectively and educated about sex education. (Kraft, S.

Master of Professional Health Debra Hauser states that sexual education is an essential part of the development and growth of teenagers. In her article “Youth Health and Rights in Sex Education”, MPH Hauser provides a report of teenage pregnancies and STDs incidences, which points out that each year in the United States, about 750,000 teens become pregnant, with up to 82 percent of those pregnancies being unintended. Young people ages 15-24 account for 25 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S (Hauser). According to Hauser, “sex education teaches young people the skills they need to protect themselves”, such as the ability to recognize patterns of a toxic relationships, learning to value and have control over their bodies, understanding

There is no question that teen pregnancy is a worldwide issue in today’s society. Every year thousands of young, unprepared teenage girls face the decision whether to become a mother or to give their baby up for adoption for a better life. Some mothers choose to give their baby up because they feel as if they could not give the baby what is needed to have a good life. If you have ever heard of the show “16 and Pregnant” both sides of the situation have happened. Some girls on the show choose to be a mother and others choose to give their baby up for adoption, because they feel it is what is best for their child. The big question is

Teens end up getting sexually transmitted diseases because they are unaware of the consequences of unprotected sex. No abstinence-only program affected the incidence of unprotected vaginal sex (The Australian). Annually 3 million teenagers contract STDs from their partner (Robert Rector). Teens who have early sex not only suffer from STDs, they also have emotional and physical damage. Research shows that young people who become sexually

The numbers surrounding teen pregnancy and parenthood need to be examined before exploring any causes, reactions and responses to the phenomenon. The United Kingdom has consistently ranked second among developed countries with highest rates of teenage pregnancy. 15% of British women were found to have given birth before reaching the age of 20 in a 2001 study. The same research reported that 21% of British women reported non-use of contraceptive methods such as condoms at the time of their first sexual intercourse (Darroch et al.,

Boonstra (2011) identified that moderate rates of teenage pregnancy occur in Australia with 43.7 pregnancies per 1000 teenage girls. This is a significant contemporary issue as there are larger risks involved with teenage pregnancy including health, financial and social implications (Brinkman et al, 2016), creating larger socio-economic problems for young parents, their children and society (Zhou et al, 2016). To reduce the numbers of teenage pregnancy and raise awareness various sex education systems are placed to manage incidences of pregnancy.

With adolescence being a time of both sexual maturation and increased risk-taking, it is unsurprising that adolescence is a period in which many young people become sexually active (Tillett, 2005). With 69% of year 10 to 12 students reporting having engaged in some kind of sexual activity and 34% having engaged in intercourse (Mitchell et al, 2014), the idea that adolescence is a period of sexual innocence is misinformed; young people do have sex, whether or not they have undertaken sex education or have access to contraception. The ethical issues around adolescent access to contraception are numerous. The idea that young people will engage in more sex if they are able to access contraception is persistent, and this holds the potential for unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and damage caused by having sex without giving informed consent. The second ethical issue of parental consent revolves around parents having the right to be aware of their children’s medical history, conflicting with the child’s right to confidentiality.

Studies show that the national average for an adolescent’s first sexual intercourse encounter is seventeen years old. Despite this number being very close to the average age in other industrialized countries, the United States holds a higher percentage of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STD) contraction than those countries (Harper et al, 2010, p. 125). It’s becoming evident that while a majority of the nation’s youth is sexually active, they are not doing so with the appropriate knowledge to keep themselves and others healthy.

They see the overwhelming importance given to sexual attractiveness in the media-one study estimated that the average teenager ahs witnessed nearly 14,000 sexual encounters on television- yet they also hear their parents and religious advisers telling them that sex is wrong. As a result, many young people begin having sex without really intending to and without taking precautions against pregnancy.

How much sexual knowledge adults should give to adolescents has been discussed for decades to decrease teenage pregnancy and sex related diseases. According to The National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (2013), the U.S. has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy among developed countries, and about sixty eight girls per thousand became pregnant in 2008. To change this situation, the U.S. provides two kinds of sex education: abstinence-only sex education and comprehensive sex education. In contrast, Japan has one of the lowest rates among developed countries. Summing up the birth and abortion dates, at least 34,220 girls became pregnant in 2011 (Japanese Ministry of Health, 2011). Even though Japan has less teen

A topic in American society that has proved to be an ongoing, and growing issue is that none other than teen pregnancy. In recent years, teen pregnancy rates have been increasing, which ultimately led to the topics increase of public and media attention. In American society teen pregnancy is often associated with negligence, as well as being irresponsible. In American society sex education for children is underdeveloped and instead society tends to use fear and shame to highlight/combat the dangers of unsafe or underage sex. American society uses fear to instill the idea that if you become pregnant as a teenager you are a burden to society. Along with fear society loves to shame its young women who have unfortunately stumbled upon the

There are about 300 million young people aged 10-24 in India, that is, one amongst every 4 Indians (1). Mumbai is one of the most westernized cities in India, but talking or discussing about sexual practices is still considered a taboo in majority households. Between these two contrasting scenarios is the youth of Mumbai, whose attitudes toward sex have been changing dramatically with premarital sex and high-risk sexual behaviors becoming commoner than ever (2). This was revealed by a survey carried out by a non-governmental organization in Mumbai (2005), according to which premarital sex among 18 to 20 year-old girls and boys was as high as 65.6 and 63.3 per cent, respectively (3).

Times reports that teenagers as young as 14 go to clinic who are suffering from STD as a result of unprotected sex (Darshni, 2006). What is more startling is that most sexual encounters among the youth are unsafe, with no protection against STDs and unwanted pregnancy (World Health Organization, 2007). Therefore, it is a fact that young people are at greater risk of acquiring STDs, particularly HIV/AIDS, than other age groups (Wong et al. 2008). The young people are becoming more promiscuous because of foreign influence, the media, and the internet (Lim & Kui, 2006). In a recent survey, boys as young as nine years old said they have experience of having sex (Lim & Kui,

Talking to young people about sex will not encourage them to experiment sexually. Instead, it will educate students on the dangers of having unprotected sex and actions to keep themselves safe (AVERT.org, n.d.). For instance, sex education in schools will teach students the various birth control methods. It is important to teach students the use and the cost of birth control as well as the suitable health condition to use a birth control method (Epigee Women’s Health, n.d.). The aim here is not to encourage students to be involved in sexual activities but to prevent unwanted pregnancy among adolescents and school going children. Statistics from the World Health Organization (2012) reported that pregnancy and other childbirth related problems is the number one killer of young women. Most youngsters stated that they did not know that there are ways to prevent pregnancy in the first place. Thus, it is important to keep children educated about their sexuality so that they will not get themselves into tough situations at a very young age that will not only ruin their live but also put their own lives in

Girls who marry earlier tend to have poorer health and higher in risk of transmitting disease and HIV/AIDS. Very recently, the situation of children in need of special protection, notably girls vulnerable to sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS, suggests that early marriage is being used as a strategy to protect girls from sexual exposure (Innocenti Digest, 2001). Most decision for young girl to marry is as their parents believe they are protecting their daughter from HIV/AIDS. Other than that, some men fear of HIV infection have encourage them to seek young virgin, therefore uninfected partners. However, marriage does not offer any protection instead increase married girls’ exposure to virus as older husband may already be infected by previous sexual relationship. According to Rao Gupta and Geeta (1998), more than half of new HIV infections occur in 15-24 year olds, but girls become infected at twice the rate of boys. Other than risk on getting HIV/AIDS, other infection may arise due to early marriage. The risk of early pregnancy and child birth are well documented: increased risk of dying, increased risk of premature labor, complications during delivery, low birth-weight, and a higher chance that the newborn will not survive (Senderowitz & Judith, 1995).