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Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage Pregnancy. Teen Parenthood. More than a million teens become pregnant each year Most are unplanned – about half choose to give birth and become parents Can drastically alter the lives of everyone involved, including the child

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Teenage Pregnancy

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  1. Teenage Pregnancy

  2. Teen Parenthood • More than a million teens become pregnant each year • Most are unplanned – about half choose to give birth and become parents • Can drastically alter the lives of everyone involved, including the child • Many mistakenly think pregnancy can never happen to them • Creates health risk for mother and baby

  3. Health Risks • Higher rate of complications • Pregnancy is hard on a women’s body • Poor eating habits • Cannot sufficiently meet their own nutritional needs, let alone those of pregnancy • May not get the exercise and rest they need • May have harmful habits • Smoking • Drinking • Using drugs

  4. Less likely to receive prenatal care • Fewer than two-thirds receive early prenatal care • Causing higher risk for many health problems • Babies born too early or too small • Disorders of the brain, heart, liver, and respiratory system • Have not completed their growth before birth • Organs and body systems may not be fully developed or function properly • Infant mortality rate increases – 13 per 1000 compared to 7 per 1000

  5. Social & Emotional Changes • Feelings • Uncertainty about the future, the baby, and the relationship • Lonely – their partner ends the relationship • Isolation from friends • Trapped by the large responsibilities and less freedom than before

  6. Both remain committed (marriage) • Easier when both parents share the responsibility • However, teen marriages are more likely to end in divorce • Stress of the teen pregnancy makes these marriages more difficult • Marry for the baby’s sake -- ? • May not be ready for marriage or mature enough to make it work • Still changing and growing • Requires a lot of effort to make the relationship work despite the challenges

  7. Insecurity about their parenting skills • Lack of knowledge about child development • Do not understand the baby’s natural needs and demands • May easily become impatient and irritable • Changes in social life • Little time to spend with friends • Have less in common with their friends • Lives are very different from their peers’ lives

  8. Education &Career Risks • 70% of pregnant teens never graduate from high school • Fathers may also have to quit to work and provide financial support • Causes them to have to settle for lower paying jobs • May have to abandon their original career goals

  9. FinancialRisks • May have no idea how they will handle the costs associated with pregnancy and parenting • Housing – largest expense • Child care • Food • Clothing • Medical care • Single teen mothers are at risk of being poor throughout their lives • Do not have the financial resources to do it along • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provides food, money, and child care assistance • Medicaid – free or low-cost medical services • Local social services agencies may help

  10. PARENTHOOD • DECISION IS IRREVERSIBLE • Can’t try out a child or practice being a parent • Can’t change you mind and decide you don’t want to be one anymore • The time to decide is BEFORE getting pregnant

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