Causes of Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is on the rise on account of promiscuity. In the West of course pre-marital sex is the accepted norm, so many teenagers do get themselves aborted in case they get pregnant. In the East, pre-marital sex is a social taboo, but on the other hand girls are married off after immediately attaining puberty. We would discuss some of the causes of teenage pregnancy later in the article.

Medically, teenage pregnancy is not well received. Pregnancy at an early age can cause lot of complications health wise for the mother as well as the child. Despite being aware of this, teenagers still choose to become parents and in some countries they have no choice but to take on the responsibilities of an early marriage, even that of taking care of children.

Teenage pregnancy at a glance

• It means pregnancy in a girl below 20 years of age.
• Early marriage and lack of awareness are the two biggest reasons in Asia.
• The main health risks are anaemia, high blood pressure and early delivery.
• Most of these risks drop when check-ups begin in the first three months.

Teenage pregnancy is definitely not favorable for the young mother’s well-being, but this phenomenon is on the rise today. Why so?

Why do teenagers become pregnant?

The primary teenage pregnancy causes are:

• Pre-marital sex is a major cause of teenage pregnancy. In the West sexual mores permit teenagers to have sex before marriage. They seek sexual companionship at an early age and pregnancy cannot be avoided. Many teenagers choose to get aborted, but those who want to set up a family prefer to have their child. Even a single unmarried teenage parent may want to have her child.
• In the East early marriage is encouraged. As soon as a girl attains puberty, she is married off. She may be in her early teens, but that does not prevent her from bearing a child.
• Teenagers, particularly in the West, want to become independent of their parents early enough. They prefer to marry early and set up their own homes. In the process, parenthood also becomes one of their responsibilities.
• Poverty is also a major cause for early pregnancy. In several countries, many girls are married off quickly in case the parents find it difficult to maintain them economically.
• In-take of drugs, taking of alcohol also make a teenager want to become pregnant. Often under the influence of drugs or alcohol she may not be in her senses and may indulge in sex without her actual consent, thus resulting in unwanted pregnancy.
• Sexual abuse is also a major factor in teenage pregnancy. Many of the girls are sexually abused by an older person sometime even closely related person. In fact, they have been many cases of incest, where fathers as well as step-fathers have sexually exploited their teenage daughters for years.
• Age factor is also another reason whereby girls are married off early as to meet up to the groom’s age. In the East, parents refer girls to be much younger than their would-be husband. It is only now that that the age disparity is not that much of criteria, particularly in the cities, where the age difference between the bride and the groom may be 1 or 2 years.
• Deviant adolescent sexual behavior often results in unwanted teenage pregnancy.
• A teenage girl with a partner who is much older tends to get pregnant more often as compared to a man who is closer to her age.
• Peer pressure groups also force a teenage girl to indulge in sexual escapades and thus become pregnant. It maybe the “in-thing”.
• Sexual curiosity is another factor for teenage pregnancy. A girl after attaining puberty might find her feeling for opposite sex rather strange as she may not be much aware about sexuality. She may venture out on a sexual escapade and become pregnant without realizing it.

Which of these causes is the most common?

It changes from place to place. In South Asia and parts of Africa, early marriage and poverty sit at the top of the list. In Europe and North America, the bigger reasons are lack of guidance at home and no proper awareness. One thing is common everywhere. Girls who stay in school longer become mothers much later.

Awareness and sex education

Teenage pregnancy has to be addressed by many health departments as it is of much concern these days. Young people have to be made aware of its effects. In the West, sex education is imparted in schools, and in the East although it is a taboo to discuss such an issue, efforts are on to make teenagers aware about sex.

Health effects on the mother and the baby

A teenage body is still growing. Pregnancy puts extra load on it. Doctors see more cases of anaemia, high blood pressure and early delivery among young mothers. Babies born to very young mothers often have low birth weight. The good news is that regular check-ups, iron tablets and proper food bring most of these risks down.

Warning signs that need a doctor

• Heavy bleeding or sudden fluid loss
• Strong stomach pain or cramps
• Headaches that do not go away, along with blurred vision
• Swelling of the face, hands or feet
• No movement felt after the fifth month

How teenage pregnancy can be prevented

Prevention starts at home. Parents who talk openly with their children raise teenagers who make better choices. Schools carry the second half of the work. Community health workers matter too. In India, ASHA workers visit homes and answer such questions quietly, without shaming anyone. Keeping a girl in school is still the strongest protection of all.

Support for a pregnant teenager

Blame helps nobody. A pregnant teenager needs medical care, good food and support from her family. Iron and folic acid tablets are given free at government health centres. Many schools now allow the girl to finish her studies. Some states also run skill training for young mothers so they can earn later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest age for pregnancy?

Most doctors suggest the twenties. The body is fully grown by then and the risks are much lower.

Is every teenage pregnancy high risk?

No. The risk goes up with poor food, late check-ups and no medical care. With proper support, many young mothers deliver healthy babies.

Which regions report the highest rates?

Parts of Sub Saharan Africa report the highest numbers. India has seen a steady fall over the last decade, mostly because more girls now stay in school.