One of the main reasons for teenage pregnancy is sexual intercourse. Although some people think that teenagers become pregnant on purpose, research shows that 80% of teenage pregnancies are unintentional. Therefore, it is important to educate teenagers on both the risks and safe sex practices.
The main reason for teenage pregnancy is lack of maturity and education about sexual intercourse and contraception. It has also been found that teenage pregnancy is due to limited employment opportunities and education, or poverty.
One of the main fundamental causes of teenage pregnancy is a lack of knowledge regarding birth control and sex. Ignorance is also a major reason behind teenage pregnancy. If we look at the scenario in US, we can easily find teens, especially girls, get so many messages about sex. But these messages do not explain the consequences of teenage sex. It is shown as an immediate gratification which prepares girls for sex without adequate education. Sex is often advertised in movies, TV shows, and magazines, but we should remember that these media sources don’t always show sex or its consequences accurately, especially for teenagers.
If a female lacks control in her life or has low expectations for her future, she may become pregnant as a result. In some cases, teenage pregnancy has been found to be caused by depression, which leads to risky sexual activities. Some teenage girls become pregnant due to alcohol or drugs abuse, which results in the inadequate use of contraception.
If a teenage girl doesn’t have a father figure or lacks affection from her family, she might be drawn to older men for love. However, this could lead to pregnancy if the man has hidden intentions. In most cases, boyfriends have been the source of teenage pregnancies, as girls often believe that sex will bring them closer to their boyfriends.
In European countries, the pregnancy rate is much lower than in other parts of the world. This is due to better contraceptive services, low child poverty, acceptance of teenage sexuality, and better sex education. For example, there is a ten-fold difference between the pregnancy rates in Holland and the United States.
There have been many surveys conducted on adolescents to understand the cause behind teen pregnancy better. According to a study done in 1996, 58% of boys and 76% of girls agreed that most teenage girls have sex just to satisfy their boyfriends. Out of the three teens of age between 15 to 17, one agreed that they were pressurized to have sex by their friends.
In a study from 1997, it was revealed that a shocking 70% of girls feel embarrassed to purchase birth control or gain knowledge on sex from a doctor. It is very difficult to determine the relation between the teen pregnancy and its factors. However, researchers have agreed on one fact: teenagers should be educated about the contraceptive methods and consequences of unprotected sex. By increasing knowledge and understanding about these sensitive topics, we can help reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy.
