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THE EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY ON THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY
• FEBRUARY 20, 2018 FCIA BLOG CLOSED
Teenage pregnancy is not isolated to the teenager, but have for sure an impact on the
family of the teenager, as well as the society. Research has pointed out the following:

• A Family Connection – Siblings of teenage moms are at an increased risk of

becoming teenage parents themselves.
• Increased Risk of Living in Poverty – Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of
living in poverty, both for the teen parents themselves and for their children.
• Lower Academic Rates in Children – The children of teenage moms often obtain
lower academic scores in school than children of older parents. Lack of parental
care and knowledge.
• Increased risk of death – Due to underdeveloped bodies and lack of proper pre-
natal care, teenage pregnancy in girls between ages 15 and 20 are twice as likely to
result in the mom dying during the pregnancy or childbirth.
• Higher incidence of male children ending up in prison – Sons of teenage moms
have a higher risk of ending up in prison than sons of older moms. Again, the major
factor in this is the socio-economic status of the child, and not necessarily the mom
herself.
• Less likely to marry -Teen moms are more likely to remain single than older moms.
• Teenage pregnancy affects society in many ways -especially in the form of
greater public expenses, such as foster care, welfare programs and health services.
• Impact on society and the public – Pregnant teenagers do not have a life built up
to support a baby, so they often need the help of those around them. This help
comes in the form of informal community support, such as babysitting or hand-me-
down baby essentials. These parents also usually need help from the local
municipality, state or welfare organizations in the form of food parcels, Child support
grant, etc.
• Long-term effects include lack of education of both the parents and child. Teen
parents tend to leave school or not attend college, which limits their potential
contributions to society and prospects for career advancement. The children of
teenage parents often face many of the same challenges as their parents. This puts
a continuing cycle of strain on society, especially social welfare programs. Increased
health care costs for both teen parents and their children cost the public a large
amount of money, as well.
When looking at these studies and the results, it is important to remember that many
teenage moms go on to live wonderful, fulfilling lives and raise brilliant children that go on
to become successful adults. The best way to avoid complications is to ensure that teen
parents have a strong support system.

https://plan-international.org/srhr/teenage-pregnancy/
What causes teenage pregnancy?
• Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Inadequate access to services tailored to young people
• Family, community and social pressure to marry
• Sexual violence
• Child, early and forced marriage, which can be both a cause and a consequence
• Lack of education or school drop-out
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Other factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy

Approximately 90% of births to girls aged 15-19 in developing countries occur within early
marriage where there is often an imbalance of power, no access to contraception and pressure on
girls to prove their fertility.

Factors such as parental income and the extent of a girl’s education also contribute. Girls who
have received minimal education are 5 times more likely to become a mother than those with
higher levels of education.
What are the effects of teenage pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality. Complications
relating to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 globally.
Pregnant girls and adolescents also face other health risks and complications due to their
immature bodies. Babies born to younger mothers are also at greater risk.

For many adolescents, pregnancy and childbirth are neither planned, nor wanted. In countries
where abortion is prohibited or highly restricted, adolescents typically resort to unsafe abortion,
putting their health and lives at risk. Some 3.9 million unsafe abortions occur each year to girls
aged 15-19 in developing regions.

Adolescent pregnancy can also have negative social and economic effects on girls, their families
and communities. Unmarried pregnant adolescents may face stigma or rejection by parents and
peers as well as threats of violence. Girls who become pregnant before age 18 are also more likely
to experience violence within a marriage or partnership.

Adolescent pregnancies are a global issue but most often occur in poorer and marginalised
communities. Many girls face considerable pressure to marry early and become mothers while they
are still children themselves.

Teenage pregnancy increases when girls are denied the right to make decisions about their sexual
and reproductive health and well-being.

Girls must be able to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures, understand the
effects of teenage pregnancy, and have access to appropriate healthcare services and
comprehensive sexuality education.

https://reverehealth.com/live-better/risks-teen-pregnancy/

1. Health Risks for the Mother

Teens often don’t get prenatal care soon enough, one of the many reasons pregnant teens and
their babies are at higher risk of health problems than older pregnant women. Teens younger than
age 15 are especially vulnerable to anemia, or low blood iron, and pregnancy-related high blood
pressure.
Anemia is a low concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, which can cause extreme tiredness and
other complications. Approximately 14 percent of pregnant women develop anemia, and the
condition occurs in higher rates in pregnant adolescents because of “the insuf cient amount of
healthy caloric intake needed during pregnancy” as well as “the increased iron requirements
associated with the expansion of the red cell mass during adolescence.” More pregnant 15- to 19-
year-olds develop anemia than pregnant women from 20 to 44. It’s imperative for teenage girls to
seek out quali ed prenatal care to ensure they are receiving an adequate intake of nutrients and
prenatal vitamins to prevent iron and other nutritional de ciencies.

Gestational hypertension, or high blood pressure caused by pregnancy, can cause premature
delivery or low birth weight of the baby. When high blood pressure develops into a life-threatening
condition called preeclampsia, both mother and unborn baby are at risk. This sudden increase in
blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy is not preventable and requires very close
monitoring by an obstetrician.

3. Socioeconomic Risks

Teenage pregnancy changes the entire course of a young girl’s life and often the life of her partner.
The impact on their futures is often a negative one:

• Teen mothers are less likely to graduate from high school: Only about 50 percent of teen
mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90
percent of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school,
reports the CDC.
• Teenage births “are associated with lower annual income for the mother, 80 percent of whom
will eventually rely on welfare.”
• Less than 2 percent of teen moms earn a college degree by age 30.
• Teen fathers tend to nish fewer years of school than do older fathers and they are less likely
to have a job.
• “Teenage pregnancies are associated with an increased rate of delinquent behaviors in the
fathers including alcohol and drug abuse, lower educational level, and reduction of future
potential income,” states the CDC.
• About 25 percent of teen moms have a second child within 24 months of their rst baby.
• Teenage mothers are more likely to live in poverty and are at risk of domestic violence.
• Children of teens are less likely to receive early and continuing cognitive and social
stimulation, leading to underdeveloped intellect and lower rates of academic achievement.
• Children of teens are more likely to drop out of high school.
• Children of teen parents are more likely to be neglected or abused.
• Children born to teens experience increased exposure to domestic abuse and violence.
• Children of teenage mothers have increased incidents of trouble in school or with the law.
• Boys born to teenage mothers are three times more likely to be incarcerated during
adolescence than sons of mothers who delay childbearing.
• Girls born to teenage mothers are 22 percent more likely to become teenage mothers.
• Children of teen parents are more likely to face unemployment as young adults.
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https://www.healthline.com/health/adolescent-pregnancy

How common is teenage

pregnancy?
Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a woman 19 years of
age or younger. A woman can get pregnant if she has
vaginal sex with a man at any age after she’s begun having
regular monthly periods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC)

Trusted Source

, in 2017, around 194,000 babies were born to American

girls between the ages of 15 to 19.

While the number of teenage pregnancies in the United

States has been in decline, it still remains higher than in
other industrialized countries.

How does teenage

pregnancy affect teen
mothers?
Teens are at a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood
pressure (preeclampsia) and its complications than average
age mothers. Risks for the baby include premature birth and
low birth weight. Preeclampsia can also harm the kidneys or
even be fatal for mother or baby.

Pregnant teens also have a higher chance of becoming

anemic. Anemia is a reduction in the number of red blood
cells (RBCs). This can make you feel weak and tired and
can affect your baby’s development.

Giving birth in the United States is safer than ever, but it’s
still more dangerous for a teen than for a woman 20 or
older. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO)Trusted Source

Trusted Source

, complications during pregnancy or childbirth are the

leading cause of death globally for girls ages 15 to 19.

If you get pregnant as a teen, you might feel frightened and

worried about telling your family and friends. Not talking to
someone and not getting the help and support you need,
can make you feel more isolated and depressed. This can
lead to problems in home and at school.

Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never

complete their education. That means a lot of mothers who
get pregnant as teenagers live in poverty.
 Women who rst got pregnant as teens are more likely to
have more than one child. About one in veTrusted Source

Trusted Source

births to a teen mother is a repeat birth. A woman with little

education and multiple children to care for will nd it very
dif cult to earn a living.

How does teenage

pregnancy affect babies?
A healthy pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. A baby that’s delivered
before 37 weeks of pregnancy is

premature. Teen mothers are more likelyTrusted Source

Trusted Source

to give birth to premature babies.

Sometimes, these babies lack complete development in

their bodies and brains. Depending on how premature the
baby is, this can lead to lifelong dif culties with health and
development.

Premature babies also tend to be underweight. Underweight

babies might have trouble breathing and feeding as infants.
As adults, underweight babies are more susceptible to
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
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Low birth weight also affects brain development. Children
who were born underweight have been observed to have
learning dif culties.

In addition to having an increased risk of being underweight,

infants born to teenage mothers are also at a higher risk of
infant mortality.

What are the options for

teenagers who are
pregnant?
Teens who become pregnant may be afraid to see a doctor,
but it’s extremely important for the safety of the mother and
the unborn child.

Your doctor should discuss all options with you regarding

your pregnancy, including:

• abortion, or ending the pregnancy medically

• adoption, or giving birth and legally permitting someone
else to raise your child
• giving birth and raising the child yourself
Ideally, the future father and family members of both mother
and father will be involved in making the best decisions.
However, this isn’t always possible.
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Birth control clinics and public health of ces can provide
counseling information to help you make the right choices
for you and your baby.

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