Transcript Realities of Teen Pregnancy and Parenting

Realities of Teen
Pregnancy and Parenting
Teen Pregnancy in Canada
► perhaps
this reflects the availability of
contraceptives, and the increased
awareness of the risks of unprotected sex
brought about by the AIDS epidemic
► Nevertheless, in 1997, an estimated 19,724
women aged 15 to 19 gave birth, and a
slightly larger number in this age range—
21,233—had an abortion.
Teenage pregnancy rates, by age of women at end of
pregnancy, women aged 15 to 19, Canada and United States,
1974 to 1997
Risks of Teen Pregnanacy
► The
social stigma that once attended out-ofwedlock pregnancy may have diminished
► however, the risks of serious health
consequences remain for babies born to
mothers still in their teens.
► Children of teenagers are more
likely to have low birth weights, and to
suffer the associated health problems.
Risks of teen pregnancy
► Pregnant
teens themselves are also at
greater risk of health problems, including,
anemia, hypertension, renal disease,
eclampsia and depressive disorders.
► As well, teenagers who engage in
unprotected sex are putting their own
health at risk of sexually transmitted
infections.
Risks of Teen Pregnancy
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Teenage pregnancy also has economic consequences.
Childbearing may curtail education and thereby reduce a
young woman’s employment prospects in a job market that
requires ever higher levels of training.
In addition, recessions in the early 1980s and 1990s
meant that to maintain an adequate standard of living,
dual earning became the norm in many Canadian
households.
But teenagers who give birth, particularly at ages 15 to
17, are likely to be single.
Consequently, most teenage mothers lack a partner to
contribute to the household income.
Identifying the Decision
► Unless
a teen has planned and hoped to
become pregnant she may have trouble
believing and acknowledging the symptoms
of pregnancy
► A girl may try to ignore symptoms which
makes it difficult to address the decisions
that must be made especially the answer to
the important question: “How will I deal
with this pregnancy?”
► Teens
who are sexually active need to be
aware with the early symptoms of
pregnancy and be prepared to seek help
from someone they trust if they suspect
they might be pregnant
Sources of Help
► Father-to-be—It
is very important that the
partner of a pregnant teen is involved in the
decision-making process. The father has
rights and responsibilities just as the mother
does and the decision will have a long term
effect on him as well
► Parents—Most
pregnant teens do no t want
to discuss the issue with their parents
however parents can play a large role in
supporting the teen with the decision
making process.
► Clergy—A
member of the clergy can offer
support to the teen and may be able to help
them talk about the pregnancy with their
parents
Counselors—There are a variety of counselors
who are able to help in deciding what to do
and will be able to help throughout the
pregnancy and the Childs life if needed.
Considering the Alternatives
► There
are many options for pregnant teens
to choose from, remember to consider all
the possible consequences and that not all
the options are possible for everyone.
Single Parenthood
► One
option is to raise the child as a single
parent.
► This can be rewarding but can also be
draining.
► Burnout or depression may become a
problem for many single teen parents
Marriage
► Marriage
and parenthood can look like an
appealing alternative to many teens, however,
teens who marry because of a pregnancy face
many difficulties.
► About 80 percent of teens who marry because of a
pregnancy divorce within 6 years.
► In Nova Scotia in order to be married under the
age of 19 you must have written permission from
parents. And you must be at least 16 to be
married.
Adoption
► Adoption
involves the termination of all
rights and responsibilities for both the
biological father and mother
Pregnancy Termination
► Few
issues are as controversial as abortion.
► Abortion should NEVER be considered a
method of birth control. One reason is that
no matter where you stand on the issue,
abortion is emotionally traumatic
Assignment
► Answer
Questions #1-7 p.109