Secondary School Level

Outline: Meaning and causes of teenage pregnancy. Socioeconomic factors. Childhood environment and studies.

Teenage pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy in a young woman who has not reached her 20^th birthday irrespective she is married. Such pregnancy is also among unmarried minors who become pregnant unintentionally.

There are many causes of teenage pregnancy. In the Indian subcontinent, early marriage and pregnancy is more common in traditional rural societies compared to urban areas. In some societies, early marriages and traditional gender roles are central reasons in the rate of teenage pregnancy. For example, in some African countries, early pregnancy is often seen as a blessing. People living in this part of the world believe that pregnancy is the proof of the young woman's fertility. The lack of education on safe sex is another cause of teenage pregnancy. Many teenagers are not taught about methods of birth control. They are unaware of how to deal with peers who pressure them for sex before - they are ready. Large number of teenagers are not aware of the fact of sexuality. Some teens are persuaded to indulge in sex with their boyfriends, Unfortunately, they are not taught to deal with this pressure or to Say no.

Teenage pregnancy has been defined predominantly within the research field and among social agencies as a social problem. Poverty has always accompanied the increasing rates of teenage pregnancy. Economically poor countries such as Bangladesh and Niger have far more teenage mothers compared to economically rich countries such as Germany, Japan and Switzerland.

Women exposed to domestic violence and family abuses in childhood are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers. Thus, the risk of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the number of hostile childhood experiences. A study conducted showed that boys who were rose in homes with a maltreated mother, or who experienced physical violence directly, were significantly more likely to impregnate a girl. Studies | have also found that girls whose fathers left the family early in their lives had the highest rates of early adolescent pregnancy. On the other hand, girls whose fathers left them at a later age had a lower rate of early sexual activity. Lowest rates are found in girls whose fathers were present throughout their childhood.

Many health educators have argued that comprehensive education related to safe sex would reduce the number of teenage pregnancies. However, challengers argue that such education may encourage more and earlier sexual activity leading to teenage pregnancy.