As of 2010, teen pregnancies are doubling each year. With teens continually bombarded with sex-focused music, TV shows, and movies alongside the idealized reality of real-life teen pregnancy shows; no wonder why this epidemic is happening. Behind the curtains of these scripted lives is the unknown truth about teen pregnancy.
Having a child while still in high school presents many obstacles for parents. First, 70% of teen parents don’t stay together, leading the child to a broken home. Then there’s the fact that more than half of new teen moms aren’t even old enough to apply for Medicaid or work full time. Teen mothers are often forced to drop out of school and 87% never finish high school or enter college. It can become impossible to find a decent job without an education, and the cost of caring for a child over the age of 18 is more than most teens realize before they choose to have a baby.
Most teen pregnancies are unplanned, but the reason for the staggering pregnancy rate is puzzling to everyone. Middle schools today teach sex education from the fifth grade. Condoms are provided free of charge through local health clinics and pregnancy planning clinics. These facilities will also offer free or low-cost birth control methods to teens ages 14 and up. With so many free options, why do teens continue to have unplanned pregnancies at an astonishing rate? The truth is that there is a lack of education on the home front. Parents trust schools to teach their children and the result is that many do not listen. It’s up to parents to talk to their children about sex and their birth control options.
If you find yourself with an unplanned pregnancy, there are many options to consider. Some families will happily support their children if a pregnancy occurs, however, it remains the adolescent’s responsibility to provide for their child. Failure to do so could result in loss of state custody. The guidelines are different by state, but the end result is always the same. Adoption is a second option for prospective parents. There is a long process including a psychological evaluation before a young couple can offer their child up for adoption. There are two forms of adoption, open and closed. Open adoption allows birth parents to receive photos and letters from adoptive parents, while closed adoption eliminates all contact. Finally, adolescents can opt for abortion until the second trimester. This process is painful and expensive, but may be the best option in some circumstances. A clinic nurse can discuss the various options with teen parents, and it is recommended that they speak with a counselor before making any final decisions about their future babies.
