Preventing Teen Pregnancy - Essay Example

Studies have been made in order to understand the reason behind and the impact of teenage pregnancies. These researches, however, have resulted in significant differences possibly “arising from a combination of political, religious and research design factors.” (Bonell, C., 2004)

Teenage pregnancy poses a problem to the young couple, their baby, and society.  The couple, they have to deal with not being able to finish high school or going to college. “Only 40 percent of teen moms who give birth at age 17 or earlier finish high school according to research compiled by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.” (Huus, K., 2010) As for the child, it more often grows up trying to match its peers in terms of necessities and luxuries in life. Society is not spared.  The U.S. government spends at least $9.1 billion on health care, housing assistance, food stamps, child welfare services “provided for teens and their children, and the lost revenue due to lower taxes paid by teen mothers.” (Huus, K., 2010) Teen pregnancy also serves as a marker of sexual behavior that brings a substantial risk of contracting AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. (Allen, et. al., 1997)

Although there was a steady decline in teenage pregnancies in the United States, approximately 1 million teenage girls become pregnant each year. (Overview, 2007) Research shows that “practitioners and researchers have been sorely remiss in discovering proven, replicable, and socially acceptable ways to help American young people avoid unwanted pregnancies.” (Schinke, S., 1998) How can society solve this seemingly neglected problem?

“Within psychology, especially, critical thinking has been championed for all students and professionals.” (Levy, D., 1997) As teen pregnancies are often studied of the psychological behavior of the individual, maybe critical thinking can help society find a way to come up with better programs to guide teenage parents or thwart the rise in the occurrences of teenage pregnancies. Analysis and evaluation of teenage pregnancy and the different conditions that might influence its rise may give researchers a clearer understanding of why teenagers, knowing what lies ahead, still take the risk of getting pregnant. By reviewing all the current data regarding this social problem, society can make inferences on what system would work or not to put a stop to teenage pregnancy.

This often neglected social problem needs much attention. Because the generation of today is more liberated in opinions, behavior, and even manner of dressing, society tends to think that teenagers get pregnant early because they are rebellious and ill-mannered.  This is a fundamental attribution error. Teenagers are judged by their internal personalities, not the external factors present in the circumstance. Society should learn to make good inferences from aspects of the situation available to them. This will enable them to properly address the social issue at hand and find solutions for it.