What is Happening Now: Cause and Effect of Teenage Pregnancies

Being exposed to new forms of media, modern teens are growing up faster than ever before. There are a number of reasons why teenage pregnancies are more rampant now but one of the most prominent reasons is that parents are not yet well equipped to guide their teens on how to make well informed decisions.

Being exposed to new forms of media, modern teens are growing up faster than ever before. There are a number of reasons why teenage pregnancies are more rampant now but one of the most prominent reasons is that parents are not yet well equipped to guide their teens on how to make well informed decisions.
Peer Pressure
Peers are still among the top causes of teen pregnancies. Reports say that three out of four girls initially agree to having sex because their boyfriends ask them to. It may be because they are not fully aware of the cause and effect of teenage pregnancies, however, there are also cases wherein the teenagers themselves want to have children because of “pregnancy pacts” with their friends.
Media and its Effect on Teenagers
Stars such as Jamie Lynn Spears, star of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 show, makes teen pregnancies look glamorous and ideal. Reports show that because of the media exposure, teen pregnancies seem more acceptable to young girls. This makes them think that it is alright to get pregnant without really knowing the cause and effect of teenage pregnancies.
Starting in the Home
Studies show that children of teenage mothers are more likely to be teenage parents themselves. By not making children aware of the cause and effect of teenage pregnancies, they are more likely to make impulsive choices with regards to their health and well-being.
By not keeping an open line between parents and their teenage children, issues such as “Sexting” (which means sending sexually suggestive text messages, videos or photos to peers) may influence the child to make uninformed choices. Information regarding acceptable norms in a child’s sexual well-being should first come from the home. Studies show that parents are still a child’s preference and primary source of reliable relationship and sexual information.