Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Pregnancy can occur with sexual intercourse after the start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual period but usually occurs after the onset of periods. In well-nourished females, the first period usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.

Teenage pregnancies and teenage motherhood are a cause for concern worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 16 million girls aging between 15 and 19 years and about one million girls younger than 15 years give birth every year.

Nowadays, the vast majority of teenage pregnancies occur in low- and middle-income countries characterized by poor health-care services; therefore, complications during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum phase (e.g., 42 days after birth) are the second cause of death among girls aging between 15 and 19 years worldwide. Additionally, it is estimated that some three million teenage girls undergo unsafe abortions, which may result in consecutive reproductive problems or even death.

Fifteen years ago, The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that worldwide every fifth child is born by an adolescent mother and 80% of these so-called teenage pregnancies occur in third-world countries. Although in traditional societies the majority of these pregnancies are socially desired, several studies have pointed out the enormous risks which are associated with teenage pregnancies such as anemia, preterm labor, urinary tract infections, pre-eclampsia, high rate of cesarean sections, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants and even maternal and newborn mortality.

Teenage pregnancies, however, still also occur in high-income countries and despite much better medical care teenage pregnancies are also considered risky and policy tries to avoid too early motherhood. This is not only due to medical problems, but first of all the social consequences of teenage motherhood. Therefore, the analyses of causes and consequences of teenage pregnancies have been the topic of much research and debate.

The Consequences

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same pregnancy-related issues as other women. There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15 as they are less likely to be physically developed to sustain a healthy pregnancy or to give birth. For girls aged 15–19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the biological effects of age. Risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are connected to biological age, being observed in teen births even after controlling for other risk factors (such as accessing prenatal care, etc.)

Teenage pregnancies are associated with social issues, including lower educational levels and poverty. Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage and is often associated with a social stigma. Teenage pregnancy in developing countries often occurs within marriage and half are planned. However, in these societies, early pregnancy may combine with malnutrition and poor health care to cause medical problems. When used in combination, educational interventions and access to birth control can reduce unintended teenage pregnancies.

Teen pregnancy is often unplanned and challenging for the future life of mother and child. The increased risk of health problems for both mother and baby occurs during teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy impacts adolescent development in all aspects: physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Negative consequences resulting from teen pregnancy include low income, increased school dropout rates, lower educational levels, and increased rates of substance abuse (Garwood, Gerassi, Reid, Plax & Drake, 2015).

Sleeping Problem

The sleep quality was affected by pregnancy symptoms emotional problems and nightmares. Although this may apply to all pregnant women, these types of problems are commonly found in teenagers who had a hard time coping up with their situation.

Stigma and Discrimination

Felt being discriminated against and treated unjustly by family members, friends, and/or community.

Financial Difficulty

A child having a baby as a teenager is more likely to face critical social issues like poverty, poor education, risky behaviors that lead to poor health issues, and child welfare. The financial cost of teens having babies is financially devastating. Educational attainment is difficult for the teen mother and this leads to decreased economic opportunities and earnings throughout their lifetime. In 2008, public spending for births resulting from unplanned pregnancies total an estimated $12.5 billion (Akella, D. Albany State University, 2015)

Therefore, we could infer that the teenage parent mostly suffers from financial difficulty due to their unwillingness as they aren’t ready for such responsibility. Family isn’t on their list yet so they are financially struggling.

Single Parent Homes

Children born to teenage mothers are more likely to have social and emotional problems. When girls are born to homes without a father figure in the home they tend to spend a great amount of time trying to seek out and obtain the love and affection that they didn't receive from their father. Males need a male role model so he can have a general idea as to what a man does and how he should govern himself. The father figure is very important because males growing up in teen single-parent homes are more likely to become gang-affiliated, get involved in crime, become incarcerated before the age of 25, or be dead before the age of 30. (Mosler, 2011)

Others

There are more to these lists that a teenage mother could agree on. Being a parent alone is challenging because you are raising a life how hard could it be for a child especially for those who did not have these phenomena expected?

How can we minimize teenage pregnancy?

Eliminate rape cases

Let us all remember that there are several cases of rape that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. Young girls are not an exception to this. In fact, in my observation, we have the most numbers of youth being impregnated by this abomination. This may be not the top reason, but this is also one of the major causes why several youths are undergoing an abortion and going through these hardships. Teach our boys not to have a lewd attraction to someone else who's not willing to interact with them. Let's eliminate these stigmas and raise our future children to be respectful.

Educate children about sex.

Isn't this issue always a hot topic for debates? I stand to believe that we must be freed from our conservative ways and learn how to teach our children about the risks and information about this. As we grow and as society develops, the future generations are curious, bold, and adventurous enough to discover these facts on their own. This education starts with their guardians, we have to open their eyes that sex isn't a taboo subject. It is a natural interaction of two people to produce. If we are going to prevent this topic from getting in our conversation, what will change? If no one is gonna point out the misconception, how would it be corrected?

Allow contraceptives and raise awareness regarding reproductive health.

Let's set ourselves free from conservative thinking and adapt to the situation and long-term problems that we are facing. This is all about being educated and well-aware of the things we could possibly do to prevent and decrease the numbers. Parenting is a very heavy duty and a lifetime commitment, we must always be informed of its consequences and educate us to cope up with the situation if ever we are one of the young parents. We must raise our child in an environment where everything is properly taught so he/she could be someone who will have a future she will never regret.

If you ever met someone who had their child at a very young age, do not let yourself make them feel like having a child is wrong. Yes, we are in the wrong timing and a wrong place but a blessing will never be something to be hated. We are all victims of uncertainty and I strongly believe that having a child can not hinder someone who has dreams for their lives. Life does not stop nor it does exclude you. We are all a mosaic of our mistakes and flaws and it can give birth to a wise and new person if you want.

Life is valuable. We can not let ourselves succumb to temporary pleasure in exchange for a lifetime commitment we have no clue about. Use your voice to raise awareness. It can start with you.