Teenage Pregnancy

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

• It helps a person to adopt to a new environment

• Serves as a guide to avoid mistakes

• Awakens the mind to negative effects

• Gives moral lessons

• Helps a person to be free from ignorance

• Helps to generate ideas

SOCIAL EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

FAMILY

• Causes parents to be upset

• Change in relationship or treatment by family members
• Misunderstanding with siblings
• Shame
• Anger
• Distrust

FRIENDS

• Friends might leave or stay away, although some may stay

• Change in relationship
• Fear to continue friendship
• Subject of rumors

OTHER EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

• Economic

• Emotional

Stories of pregnant teenagers

Jessica

Teenage Pregnancy in Manila, Philippines

Jessica, 16 years old,  Quezon City, Philippines

“The one who got me pregnant was my cousin. He is not my boyfriend. In one bed, there are three of us…I am the only girl beside two boys…The one who got me pregnant is my cousin who is 13 years old. When I sleep, I really do not feel anything….When I woke up I felt…I wondered why my opening was painful.” Those are words from

Janice

“My advice to other teens is, ‘Think before you act.”

Janice Banaag, a new mother at 18.

Janice and her husband were not yet ready to have a child. But accidents happen. Janice gave birth to a baby girl in April. Janice and her husband both came from a poor family. They  could hardly raise their child. They, however, accepted the fact that they are already parents because they did not take care of themselves.

Valerie, 18

Valerie found out that she’s pregnant at the age of 18. She was living with her fiance. By the time she told her fiance about the shocking news, her fiance was very happy and excited . It was the second baby of her fiance, so he’s not shocked. After telling her fiance, she thought how to tell her family. Her parents were disappointed, but later the anger went away. They accepted the fact  that Valerie had already grown up.

Kelsy, 19

Kelsy got pregnant at the young age of 19. At first she could hardly accept the reality that she was pregnant. She did not know how to tell her parents about it. When she was five months pregnant, she decided to tell her mother. She was shocked seeing her happy, although disappointed. Her mother was very excited about the coming baby.

Gloria, 17

http://www.birthstories.com/stories/young-mothers-34/ss

HOW TO PREVENT TEENAGE PREGNANCY

• Parents should always be there to guide teenage girls during adolescence.

• Teenagers should involve themselves in activities and play significant roles.

• Sex and other sensitive issues must be discussed to avoid confusion.

• Teenage girls must be taught how to take good care of themselves.

• Let teenagers know their limitations.

• Help teenagers when they encounter problems.

For more information: Teenage pregnancy