Teenage Pregnancy: Global Awareness, Health, and Legal Aspects

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of teenage pregnancy, addressing its multifaceted nature. It begins by defining teenage pregnancy and establishing its significance, referencing statistical data from UNICEF and WHO to highlight the global scope of the issue. The essay then delves into the socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral determinants that contribute to adolescent pregnancy, including factors such as lower education levels, poor financial conditions, media influences, peer pressure, and irresponsible behavior. The essay emphasizes the importance of promoting global awareness regarding the consequences of early childbearing, advocating for strategies such as improved education, parental monitoring, and restrictions on substance use. Furthermore, it examines the role and accountability of health professionals in overcoming health concerns related to early childbearing, highlighting the importance of teenage-friendly clinics, health promotion programs, and comprehensive support for adolescent mothers. Finally, the essay touches upon the legal policies and ethical considerations surrounding teenage pregnancy, underscoring the need for supportive and informed approaches to address this complex issue. The essay aims to provide insights into the causes, consequences, and potential solutions related to teenage pregnancy, with the goal of informing and promoting awareness among readers.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................3
BACKGROUND OF THE TOPIC......................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.......................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Teenage Pregnancy is a matter of great concern for both developed as well as developing
nations of the country. The unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls of age group 12-19 years
affect individuals as well as communities. The following essay has related to teenage pregnancy
which covered the different aspects of topic. The areas that will be meet out in the essay are
different factors which contribute to adolescent pregnancy, promote global awareness regarding
teenage pregnancy, role of health professionals and their accountability in overcoming health
concerns related to early child bearing and legal policies and ethical consideration related to
teenage pregnancy. The study will also highlight the present health provisions and their
effectiveness in dealing adolescent pregnancy.
BACKGROUND OF THE TOPIC
Teenage Pregnancy is referrers to adolescent females of age group under the age of 20,
becoming pregnant. The following terms can be defines as all pregnancies which is occurring in a
girl who is between the age of 13 to 19 and has not completed the core education and financially
depends on her parents as well as mentally immature. It is a situation which involves female
teenage where she can be pregnant in the age of 15 year. This term has usually used for those girls
who are not reaching at the stage of adult. As per the statistics of UNICEF, the current situation is
the half of the population in the world are under the age of 25 in which 1.8 billion are coming
between the age of 10-25. Along with this, it has been identified from then study of statistics is
most of the teenagers are sexually active before the age of 20 year (Young People and Family
Planning: Teenage Pregnancy. 2008).
On the other hand, according to WHO (World Health Organization), approximate 16 million
female of age group 15-19 years old are giving the birth to the children every year. These teenagers
have given about 11% contribution in all birth across the world. From the statistics, it has been
explored that 95% child birth from teenage pregnancy situation has occurred in those nations where
people are belonging to low and medium income groups. The average teenage birth rate in middle
income nations is twice as compare to high income countries (Adolescent pregnancy. 2015).
As per the data from Office for National Statistics, 2012 shows that the adolescents are
facing the teenage pregnancy situation and the birth rate is 19.7% per 1000 women aged 15-19
which has much higher as compare to other European Union nations. In England and Wales, the
teenage pregnancy rate in 2013 is about 23.3% per 1000 women under aged 15-17. Therefore, it
can be said from the study and analysis of statistics of UK has one of the largest teenage pregnancy
rate in Western Europe (Chorley, 2014).
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MAIN BODY
Socio-economic, cultural and behavioural determinants that contribute to adolescent pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is an unintended pregnancy which are generally occurring in teenage.
The percentage of adolescent pregnancy cases have increased in many countries due to the different
reasons. There are some factors which promoting adolescent pregnancy in teenagers which are as
follows.
Socio-economic: According to Chen, Wen and et.al., 2007, there are various social economic
behaviour which are responsible for causing of teenage pregnancy (Chen, Wen and et.al., 2007).
The childhood behaviours, lower educational and lower income levels are the key objects of socio-
economic factors. In this context, Darroch, Singh and Frost, 2001 has stated that it has found that
many teenager's are having childish behaviour after entering into the teenage (Darroch, Singh and
Frost, 2001). In this age group, there are considering the sexual interaction as a playing object and
showing the neglecting behaviours towards it. They are not aware towards the negative
consequences of the earlier child carrying thoughts and for several reasons they are ready for the
intercourse activities in teenage.
But, Ellis, Bates and et.al., 2003 has explored from this research that lower educational
level has the major responsible factors of teenage pregnancy in teenager's because many of the
females are having lack of knowledge about outcomes of early sex (Ellis, Bates and et.al., 2003).
The less education level in the teenagers has reduced the understanding the different things and
they are not able to distinguished the difference between the good and bad decision. Such type of
adolescents are easily influenced by their partner and take a wrong decision.
On the other hand, Jewkes and et.al., 2001 has suggested that because of facing the poor
financial conditions at home, females who are under the age of 19 are ready to sexual interaction
with the opposite sex for earning few money (Jewkes and et.al., 2001). From the research, it has
been found that most of the teenagers parents wants to increase their household income and for
this, they are encouraging their children for developing the sexual activities with the outsiders. The
family members influenced them by giving various types of grands such as increase their pocket
money. Such things have encouraged the teenage pregnancies in adolescence females in early age.
Therefore, from the above stated statements of the different authors, it has been concluded that lack
of education, poor financial status and childhood behaviour are the major reasons of causing of
teenage pregnancy.
Cultural: In the present time, the cultural values of people have changed with time and they are
becoming more modernized. As per the research of Smith and Pell, 2001, it has been identified that
the movie and media industry has given the large contribution in promoting the adolescence
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pregnancy in the teenagers (Smith and Pell, 2001). By learning from the movies and TV
advertisement, teenager's are becoming more focused on their own good appearance in the schools
and trying to leave best impression on the friends. It has been seen that in the absence of parents,
the teenage children are watching those movies which are having the sexual contents with their
friends. Such type situation has developed the emotions and encouraged them to comes under
sexual activities in the teenage age.
But on the other hand, Henshaw, 2000 has stated that in the present time, the drinking
cultural in the teenagers are more increasing which is responsible for unexpected pregnancy in
teenagers (Henshaw, 2000). Many of the adolescents are making the experiments with the alcohol
and drugs. It has loss their control over himself and they have done intercourse activities with their
partner without understand the right and wrong things. The result of this activity is they have
pregnant between the age of 15 to 19 (Mayor, 2004). From the research of the different statistics, it
has been found that about 91% teenage pregnancy cases have reported because adolescents were
drinking at that time and they were no plan regarding sexual interaction (Tripp and Viner, 2005).
Behavioural: According to Lawlor and Shaw, 2002 in the age of 15 to 19, teenagers are easily
influencing by other words and thoughts (Lawlor and Shaw, 2002). It has generally seen that peer
pressure has put the negative force on adolescences. The teenagers are feeling strong pressure to
drink and try drugs by their close friends. This thing has directly made the impact on adolescent to
engage in sexual activities. During intake the drugs and alcohols, the teenagers have not in their
sense and it has increased the sexual and intercourse activity between them in more easier. That
time they have not aware about the consequences of their activities and behaviour. The reasons
behind these are such as pleasing a male partner, need to prove one's fertility, low self esteem etc
(Hadley, 2013). Therefore, from the peer pressures, the adolescents has encouraged to include in
sexual activities with the opposite sex without knowing or thinking over the consequences of their
actions.
But Ham, Dennison, 2004 not agreed with the above statement and suggested that
teenager's are immature and irresponsible are important reasons of teenage pregnancies (Ham,
Dennison, 2004). Such types of behaviour are occurring due to their complex psychological
behaviour like weak family relationship, lack of affection and attention given by parents, seek of
love and supports from the friends etc.
Hence, from the above discussion, it has been clear that the various factors of socio-
economic, cultural and behavioural determinants have caused the teenage pregnancies. It has been
that adolescents are showing their careless behaviour towards their decisions and not thinking over
every action and its reactions (Harden and et.al., 2009).
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Importance to comprehend these factors in order to promote global awareness regarding teenage
pregnancy
Socio-economic, cultural and behavioural factors are knowing as the responsible
determinants of causing teenage pregnancies in adolescents. In this regards, it is important to
promote global awareness in the teenager's. According to Pollock, Price and Roderick, 2012 there
are several reasons which influenced to promoting the awareness in the people regarding
consequences of early child bearing (Bunting and McAuley, 2004). Teenage pregnancy has created
the health risk for both baby and teenage mother. Along with this, the result of pregnancy in the
adolescent age is 2/3 girls drop out of school and they have not completed their education. Moss,
2012 has stated that by improving the living style of the people and increase the wages rate, the
economic conditions of the community can be increased (Gortzak-Uzan and et.al., 2001). The result
of this is people will get the proper education related which create the awareness regarding teenage
pregnancy and their consequences.
On the other hand, Cunnington, 2001 has suggested that by bring the changes in the
behaviour of the teenager's and discuss about the teenage pregnancies, it will be good to create the
awareness in the adolescents regarding early child bearing (Cunnington, 2001). With the help of
providing the sex education to adolescents in the school time, they will be start to aware towards
the negative outcomes of teenage pregnancy. According to Woodward and et.al., 2001, parents
should be monitor the activities of their adolescent children such as which type of TV shows and
movies they are watching. By doing this, they can easily know and understand the changes in the
behaviour of their children (Woodward and et.al., 2001). By following this strategy, the parents will
be create the awareness in the teenagers and giving them right directions.
It has been seen that the cultural is an most important factor which promoting the teenager
pregnancies. In this context, Saewyc, Magee and Pettingell, 2004 has stated that by making the
strict restriction on consuming the alcohol or any other kind of drugs in adolescent age, the global
awareness regarding teenage pregnancies can be create in right manner (Saewyc, Magee and
Pettingell, 2004). In this regards, the parents should take the actions by impose the various
restriction on the teenagers, especially on the girls because it protects them from the danger of early
child bearing.
Role of health professionals and their accountability in overcoming health concerns related to
early child bearing
Teenage birth rate in UK has started to decreased but yet still having the highest rank in the
list of developed countries. The reason behind decrement in the rate of early child bearing is
because of different roles playing by health professionals and their accountability. It has
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overcoming health concerns related to teenage pregnancies. Imamura, Tucker and et.al., 2007 has
stated that by making the clinic teenage friendly, the health care professionals can easily talk to the
teenager's and provide the right and complete treatment for both adolescent mother and her baby
(Imamura, Tucker and et.al., 2007). The teenage friendly environment in the clinic has helped in
development of mutual trust between the adolescents and health care professional.
On the other hand, McLeod, 2001 has suggested that by organizing the different events and
health promotion programs, the health care professionals have promoted the consequences of the
early child bearing for teenagers (McLeod, 2001). In this context, by organizing the different health
promotion events related to the teenage pregnancies, the health care practitioners have easily
educated the teenagers. But, Swann, Bowe and et.al., 2003 has stated that healthcare professionals
have visited schools time to time and provide sex education to the students (Swann, Bowe and
et.al., 2003). The themes which has covered under the sex educations are consequences of early
child bearing in adolescent age and its impacts on health of teenager's.
According to Jewell, Tacchi and Donovan, 2000, by providing the guidance to the parents
to the teenagers, health care professionals can overcoming health concerns related to early child
bearing (Jewell, Tacchi and Donovan, 2000). Many parents hesitate to talk to their children on sex
related topics. They do not encourage informative discussions on sex with their children therefore
young girls get information from unreliable sources which further misguide them. Therefore, by
giving proper guidance to the teenagers parents, health care practitioners have increased the
alertness in the adolescents.
But, Mahavarkar, Madhu and Mule, 2008 has not agreed with the above statements and
suggested that health care professionals have to providing the complete knowledge to the
teenager's related to safe intercourse which helps in creating the awareness in the adolescents about
consequences of early child bearing (Mahavarkar, Madhu and Mule, 2008). Many adolescents lack
proper education on safe sex. They are either too hesitant or too afraid to seek proper information
related to contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy. Thus inadequate knowledge contribute to
positive pregnancy among teenager's females.
On the other hand, Treffers, 2003 has explored in his research that if health care
practitioners understand the psychological behaviour of adolescent towards the sex then it will
become easy to decrease the teenage pregnancies rate (Treffers, 2003). Teenagers have a tendency
to act under the peers pressure. They tend to make new friends and behave in order to please their
peers. Teenage sexual behaviour is greatly influenced by the peer pressure. Adolescents girls
indulge in sexual act to appear cool and sophisticated among their friends. In a study it is found that
33 percent of teenage girls admitted that they were not ready for sexual relationship but indulged in
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the activity as they were afraid of rejection from their peers (Langham, 2015). Therefore, in such
type of situation, it is important for healthcare professional to understand the psychological aspects
and behaviour of the teenager's and according to it provide them guidance in the right direction.
Legal policies and ethical consideration related to teenage pregnancy
In early child bearing cases, there are some legal policies and ethical considerations playing
an essential role. As per the view points of Vundule Maforah and et.al., 2001 Educational act, 2002
has to be adopted by the schools for educating their children regrading giving complete information
about the teenage pregnancies and their consequences in the future (Vundule Maforah and et.al.,
2001). The following act has developed the life long learning in adolescent about physical,
emotional and moral development. With the help of adopting this legal policy in the schools, the
student has able to understand about the importance of marriage, family, loving and stable
relationship, respect and care. It has also increased the understanding of the teenager's regarding
sex, sexuality and sexual health.
But Dryburgh, 2000 has stated that Children Act 1989 legal policy has to be followed by
schools in which school authorities have taken actions against those students who are harming or
try to harm the girl (Dryburgh, 2000). With the help of this, the school authorities will able to
provide the complete security and care to females in the schools.
On the other hand, some ethical considerations are require to be taking in the context of
teenage pregnancy. According to Quinlivan and et.al., 2004, it is essential for the hospitals and
healthcare professional to keep the information of teenage more confidential and not share with the
outside world (Quinlivan and et.al., 2004). The reason of doing such kind of thing is adolescent has
passed from a stage where she has no idea what she has been done with her.
But, Woodward, Horwood and Fergusson, 2001 has stated that government has to give
some liberalization in the abortion to the teenager's as well as explain them the consequences of
early child bearing and its impact on their life (Woodward, Horwood and Fergusson, 2001).
Present health provisions and their effectiveness in dealing adolescent pregnancy
From the study of adolescent pregnancy statistics of UK, it has determined that the rate of
early child bearing in teenage has increased. In this regards, it has important to develop some health
provisions and strategies which can help in dealing adolescent pregnancy in more effective manner.
According to Pollock, Price and Roderick, 2012, by giving the proper guidance to the parents and
teenagers, it can be easy to deal with the adolescent pregnancy situation (PKlis, Westenberg and
et.al., 2002). With the help of right guidance, the parents will able to talk to their adolescent
children and explain the consequences of early child bearing. This will assist in meeting the
communication gap between child and parents. In addition to this, Chen, Wen and et.al., 2007 has
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stated that by teaching comprehensive sex education to the adolescents, it can be easy to deal with
teenage pregnancies (Chen, Wen and et.al., 2007). The result of the following health provision is
teenager's will receive right sexual health instructions and knowledge about making the physical
relationship with partner in right age.
But, Darroch, Singh and Frost, 2001 has suggested that by using counselling sessions, it
can be simple to develop the understanding of teenagers regarding the results of teenage pregnancy
in early age (Darroch, Singh and Frost, 2001). With the hep of this method, the adolescents will get
the proper information about using contraception during intercourse as well as setting sexual
boundaries in teenage.
According to Ellis, Bates and et.al., 2003, by providing teenager's friendly environment in
the clinic, the health care professionals can provide the some additional information regarding the
health and future complexities due to early child bearing (Ellis, Bates and et.al., 2003). The
effectiveness of this health provision is creating the awareness in the people regarding the
consequences of adolescent pregnancies and ways to prevent from it. On the other hand, Jewkes
and et.al., 2001 has stared that by brining the changes in the behaviour of the teenagers, the
probabilities of adolescent pregnancies in early age can be reduced (Jewkes and et.al., 2001). In this
respect, it is essential that to first understand the behaviour and psychology of teenager's and
according to it, the parents and healthcare practitioners have to take actions.
But, according to Smith and Pell, 2001, for a teenage pregnant female, a parental care and
support is more important because it helps bring the changes in the behaviour of her and it will be a
good example for the others teenagers (Smith and Pell, 2001). But Henshaw, 2000 has stated in the
contrast of the above statement that by explaining the roles and responsibilities to the teenagers in
the adolescent age as well as making them mature from their age, it will be easy to deal with
adolescent pregnancy (Henshaw, 2000). With the help of this, the teenagers will understand their
responsibilities and left careless behaviour and the result of this is it will help in reducing the rate of
early child bearing cases. Along with this, by giving the proper attention to the teenagers as well as
providing the emotional supports, it can be easy to deal with teenage pregnancy situations.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been concluded that teenage pregnancy rates in UK has
increased with the time. There are various responsible factors which promoting it very high rate
such as socio-economic, cultural and behavioural factors. In this context, it is important to reduce
the rate of early child bearing situation. For this, the health care organizations and local government
has to driven different health promotion and awareness programs. Along with the this, the parents
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has to understand their own responsibilities towards the children and keep monitor their activities.
Beside this, health care practitioners and professionals also have to perform the different types of
roles towards dealing with adolescent pregnancies. In addition to this, there are various health
provisions which help in dealing with teenage pregnancies and creating them awareness about the
consequences of it on the health.
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