Impact of Teenage Pregnancy on School Dropout Rates in Australia

This report examines the issue of teenage pregnancy and its correlation with school dropout rates in Australia. It highlights that a significant percentage of pregnancies are unplanned, with teenagers being disproportionately affected. The report delves into the concept of teenage motherhood, emphasizing the physical, mental, and social challenges faced by young mothers, including hormonal changes, social stigmas, and the struggle to balance responsibilities. It also discusses the financial and social concerns of teen mothers, and the lack of support. The report then explores potential solutions, such as increased awareness campaigns, effective contraceptive methods, and the importance of social work interventions, family support, and re-engagement in education through distance learning programs. It also provides statistical data on teenage pregnancy rates in Australia and the role of social work in addressing these issues, including the importance of distance learning programs. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for professional approaches, such as specialized schools, night classes, and collaborations with NGOs, as well as the provision of supportive services like health check-ups, counseling, and motivational programs to help teen mothers complete their studies and improve their lives.

Teenage pregnancy
and school dropout
A CASE OF AUSTRALIA

Background of the issue
 It has been observed that 50% of all the incidents of pregnancy is unplanned in
Australia.
 The most striking fact is that victim of such situations are teenagers more than
adults (Hodgkinson et al., 2014). Even though young generation is aware of
contraceptive methods, in reality they hardly use it and it is needless to say no
contraceptive procedure is entirely effective.
 In spite of using contraceptive methods perfectly, according to WHO the world
come across with six million cases of unplanned pregnancies every year (Subissi
et al., 2018).

The concept of teenage
motherhood
 Although, motherhood is an important stage of every woman, teenage
motherhood is critical in terms of degrading social and health condition.
 A teenager girl goes through so many hormonal changes at once.
Meanwhile, such unexpected motherhood makes extreme physical and
mental transformation of which the girl was not prepare about
(Hodgkinson et al., 2014).
 Studies have conducted across Australia to understand the concept of
premature pregnancy and its outcome.
 Most of those studies highlighted teen mothers’ struggle in completing
basic high school study. As motherhood brings increased responsibility
towards the child and social image.

The concept of teenage
motherhood
 Young mothers’ need great courage to deal with social perception of
motherhood. The psychological change is difficult to face while dealing
with added responsibilities, managing household chores and balancing
work and taking care of the baby at the same time.
 The most traumatic part is that, in most of the cases, they end up being
a single mother supported by community members or cousins and
friends. Having family support is exceptional.
 Teenage girls due to increased responsibilities cannot complete their
studies and they continue to ruin their career by choosing to drop out
their curriculum and earn money for livelihood. Consequently, they waste
their potential and settle for low income jobs for earning livelihood.

Concerns of teenage mothers
 Social workers and social liability is higher in these
cases. Apart from health concerns, in some of the
cases mothers are abandoned from their
communities are forced to live on her own.
 At that moment, mothers have to deal with
embarrassment rather than enjoying the new
blessings in life (Lilienfeld, Pasamanick &
Rogers, 2016).
 At this early age, instead of being happy they feel
pressurized and aggressive towards the baby for
brining unnecessary trouble in life (Chow et
al.,2016).
 Another factor is that, they crave for attention,
support and love in this stage yet cannot find
anyone dependable. Additionally, they have to
sacrifice career, wish of having a stress free life.

Expectation of young mothers:
solutions
 Therefore, in order to bring some solution to it, precautionary awareness is must
across school, colleges and social welfare camps. The right and effective usage of
contraceptive methods must have been circulated among them.
 All the researches concludes with the fact that social service providers must develop
policies to support community of young mothers.
 According to Hodgkinson et al. (2014), families have to understand their role in saving
their children’s mental and physical condition, the transformed perception and the
current depression they are dealing with.
 Their own mothers, cousins, friends, aunts and grandparents are the one who can
support young mothers for gathering courage of starting afresh.
 Amongst all the most crucial part is to re-engage them into studies and inspiring them
throughout the process. They have to find a meaning of their life too if they want to
shape the future of their kid in the long run.

The condition of Australia: brief statistics
 Currently, as observed by various
surveys, additionally confirmed by
director of Sexual Health and Family
Planning, Australia the number of
Australian teen mothers is at its
lowest level in the beginning of 2016.
 In 2014, it was no less than 3%
which makes the proportion of
teenage pregnancy and by the
starting of 2015 it has lowered by
0.2%.

Role of social works
 Considering the previous statistical
report as the result of positive social
work; social works can be discussed
to achieve that condition.
 The social works are as follows.
 Apart from social welfare
organisations, even schools and
colleges are taking the matter of
better sex education and circulating
contraceptive information seriously.
 Although, Australia is behind other
western countries that does not
mean the existing problems are not
present. There are still issues related
to accessing proper health and
hygiene necessities with teen
mothers. Due to geographical
distances, mothers are not getting
the adequate service of health.

Significance of the social works
 These gestures are basic towards teen mothers considering the budding psychological
development.
 Educational institutes must initiate distance learning programmes or if possible
students can join their regular classes as well.
 These supporting gestures are important not only as it is helpful for the community,
but also it will shape future of a large number of Australian Kid (Ray et al., 2016).

Significance of the social works
 There are numerous examples of school dropouts, who have to wait
another five years starting from pregnancy to restart formal curriculum
of study.
 However, with the e-learning or distance learning programme students
can learn and take care of her responsibilities at the same time.
 Supporting young mothers, would be helpful in terms of letting them to
contribute positive works not only to the society but to their families as
well.

More important statistics
 The approach of skilled social workers are
kind of different.
 Yet the treated issues are same like social
isolation, shame and depression. 40% of
them fail to complete their graduation
whereas no less than 50% of them struggles
to find a stable employment opportunity.

More important statistics
 It has been observed by studies like
Freeman and Simonsen, (2015),
distance educational programmes
are more effective as it makes them
working in a part time job too.
 According to a skilled approach in
social working procedures,
involvement and interest of local
schools, colleges and academic
institutions are necessary.