One of the toughest and most heartbreaking experiences for a teenage girl is being faced with a positive test result and not knowing who to turn to, or how she will support her unborn child. There are many teenagers all over the United States facing untimely pregnancies. Statistics on teenage pregnancy show that this is a common problem in society. “One in ten women between the ages of fifteen and nineteen are faced with pregnancy” (Birthright).
Since most people do not see it in their everyday lives, not many people realize how extensive the problem of teenage pregnancy really is.
According to Teen Help, “34 percent of teenagers have at least one pregnancy before they turn 20” (Teen Help).
Not only is teenage pregnancy a problem to society, it can also affect the future of the unborn child as well. Teen Help reports “The daughters of teen mothers are 22 percent more likely than their peers to become teen mothers” (Teen Help).
Society disapproves of teenage pregnancy for a number of social, economic, and religious reasons; but instead of judging and losing respect for these teenagers, society should offer support by means of support groups, clinics, and more education.
Society disapproves of teen pregnancy for many social reasons. “Society has a stereotypical bias
The Essay on Teenage Pregnancy Teen Children Community
... social problems that exist can be diagnosed as the cause of teenage pregnancy. For example, single-support families without support systems open the door to teenage pregnancy. ... out of school. (Hinckley, 1998). Teen pregnancy is a controversial issue because it effects society as a whole. Teenage mothers often raise children who ...
– if you’re 16 and you have a child, you’re a whore” (Evelyn Lerman)c.
Adults tend to look down on teenagers and discriminate against them for being pregnant. According to Teenage Sexuality: Opposing Viewpoints written by Tamara L. Roleff, most adults believe that teenagers should not be having sexual intercourse so early on in their lives. Peers and friends of these young women often times turn away from pregnant teenagers as well. Society tends to think that friends of these struggling women are engaging in the same activities as the pregnant teenagers. For this reason, their friends often abandon them and refuse to be associated with such a “disgrace”.
Society also looks down on teenage pregnancy due to economic issues. Since the cost of parenting is very high, and many teenagers do not have a high enough income, society pays the price of teen pregnancy through taxes. “Teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least nine billion dollars each year” (Why it Matters).
Money is provided by the government to help these young mothers attain the necessities of life. “Approximately onequarter of teen mothers go on welfare within three years of the child’s birth” (Why it Matters).
This statistic is a fact of life, and although society does not want to accept it, but these women need welfare to survive and support their children. Due to religious values, society tends to look upon teenage pregnancy as a disgrace.
