Teenage pregnancy, a term used to refer to pregnancy in case of teenagers, is also called adolescent pregnancy. Various statistical studies reveal the fact that around 34 percent of girls become pregnant in their teens. In some cultures around the world, it is perfectly alright for a teenager to get married and bear children. In many countries, however, teenage pregnancy is a social issue that causes great concern.
A pregnant teenager’s life changes drastically. The teenaged mothers find it extremely difficult to handle a condition for which they are neither emotionally nor financially prepared. Several programs have been developed throughout the world to help teenagers cope with this problem.
The people who prepare these programs have a variety of opinions regarding their structure and points of focus. A debate exists over whether only programs advocating abstinence from sex or those providing sex education, such as the proper use of contraceptives, should be popularised to prevent cases of teenage pregnancy.
Those who argue in favor of abstinence from sex claim that giving sex education to teenagers encourages them to lead a sexually active life. But no raise in sexual activity among teenagers who have received sex education has been recorded. Those who argue in favor of providing sex education to teenagers claim that programs advocating abstinence from sex cause teenagers to feel uncomfortable about their sexuality. They might, then, avoid discussing their sexual problems with adults.
The reasons for teenage pregnancy may be several. Social scientists are of the opinion that teenage pregnancy is due to lack of sex education. Many teenaged girls do not know anything about birth control methods. Worse still, some of them believe that certain methods such as douching with Coke or Pepsi after having sex will prevent them from getting pregnant. These are, however, just myths.
Many girls are not aware of the availability of birth control methods. For example, Depo-Provera, when injected into a woman’s arms or buttocks once in three months, prevents ovulation and thereby changes the nature of the cervical mucus and prevents implantation. Norplant is a technique which includes the implantation of six tiny rubber rods under the skin. It remains effective for a period of five years. In addition, there are several other birth control methods such as condoms, emergency contraceptive pills, birth control pills, and contraceptive jelly. If a girl swallows an emergency contraceptive pill within three days of having sex, she can prevent pregnancy.
A girl who has accidentally gotten pregnant should know that she is not in a helpless condition. Even if she is too embarrassed to discuss the issue with her parents, she can seek the help of professionals like doctors or clinics such as Planned Parenthood that counsel such girls.
If a girl finds herself pregnant, she can decide to give birth to the baby and take care of it or give it for adoption or place it in the care of foster parents. Alternatively, she can also go in for an abortion.
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