Pregnancy is the leading cause of death among adolescent girls in developing countries. Their babies face a risk of dying before they reach their first birthday, which is 50 percent higher than children who are born to women in the 20’s.

In the Philippines, 21% of girls between 15-19 years old get pregnant before they reach the age of 20. The United States is not immune to this problem as teen pregnancy accounts to 19% of girls before they reach the same age. It is reported that among the industrialized world, the US has the highest rate of early motherhood.

The rise of teen pregnancy is alarming and there is minimal effort that focuses on its prevention. There is minimal effort that focuses on its prevention. There is also a lack of information on the consequences of early pregnancy. Motherhood is such an important role where one has to prepare herself emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychologically. There is no amount of education, advice or seminars that can prepare you for motherhood. If an educated, career-oriented and matured woman can have concerns on parenting; imagine a 15 year-old raising a child.

The child mother and their babies face high risks because the young mother’s body is not physically mature to deliver without experiencing complications. Plus most relationship of teenager parents is likely to dissolve in time due to the immaturity of youthful parents.

Children of teen mothers bear the greatest burden of teen pregnancy and childbearing. Babies are more likely to be born prematurely and with a low birth weight, raising the probability of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, chronic respiratory problems and infant death. Children of teen mothers often do worse in school than those born to older parents. They also suffer higher rates of abuse and neglect than would occur if their mothers had delayed childbearing. Daughters of teen parents are more likely to become teen mothers themselves.

Teen pregnancy Is not not only viewed as a reproductive health issue but is closely linked to other critical social issues like:

• Social stigma for unmarried mothers and children
• Limited education
• Fewer career or job opportunities
• Heavy economic burden
• Depression, loss of self-confidence and lack of hope
• Consequences are more severe for young women than men
• Children of young parents may face psychological, social and economic obstacles
• Early pregnancy reduces the involvement of the fathers
• Boys and girls without involved fathers are twice as likely to drop out of school, twice as likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, twice as likely to end up in jail, and nearly four times more likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems.

 

Research confirms that parents are an important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or cause a pregnancy.

*Facts about unplanned teen pregnancy:

• more than 1/3 of young females conceive before marriage 30% of all births occur in women from 15 to 19;
• about 74 % of all illegitimate births occur in women from 15 to 19;
• it is estimated that 400,000 induced abortions are performed every year, of which 36% of these cases belong to young women’s group.

Footnote: *taken from the latest YAFS Survey( Young Adults Fertility and Sexuality Survey)