The media effects on teenage pregnancy

Introduction

Teen pregnancy is a problem that not only affects individuals, but society as a whole. It is important to understand the psychological effects of becoming pregnant at such a young age. The teenage years are acknowledged to already produce emotional turmoil in adolescents; it is therefore difficult to imagine the added stress of an unplanned and often unwanted pregnancy. Just as there are many physical changes during pregnancy, there are also many psychological changes as well. Depression and denial are the first emotional state that most pregnant girls experience. Many initially refuse to accept the reality of the situation, or are overwhelmed by the enormous decision of whether to terminate the pregnancy, keep the child, or give it up for adoption after it is born. Panic and desperation can become all-consuming at this point and some teens may try to terminate their own pregnancy or even to inflict harm on them. There are thousands of pregnant teens who commit, or attempt to commit, suicide every year. Although this statistic is appalling, it is an example of the rollercoaster of emotions related to pregnancy.

Discussion

Birth rates for United States teenagers age 15-19 declined steadily throughout the 1990s, falling from 62.1 births per 1000 teens in 1990 "to 43 in 2002, a reduction of 28%". The decline in the birth rate for younger teens has dropped 38% from 1990 to 2002. "The reduction in teen pregnancy has clearly been one of the most important health success stories of the past decade," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "The fact that this decline in teen births is continuing represents a significant accomplishment". Although the rate of teenage pregnancy in the United States has declined greatly within the last decade, it is still an enormous problem that should be addressed. The rate is still twice as high as in other industrialized countries, and school administrators still rank it as one of their ten top problems.( Rosen, 11)

Teenage pregnancy is not something that has recently developed. It has always been present, but it is only in the last three decades that we have noticed its growth and severe impact on many aspects of society. Prior to this it was shrouded in secrecy and shame. My mother was an unwed teenage mother in 1945 and she vividly recalled having to hide her condition for as long as was possible and checking herself into a home for unwed mothers when it was no longer possible. In those days it was socially unacceptable for a girl to be pregnant outside of marriage. Young girls refrained from sex out of fear of pregnancy and being socially ostracized. Among those who did break the rules, hurried marriages--often called "shotgun weddings"-- were frequently the norm. A young man had to compete for a girl's affections by at least promising marriage. The sexual revolution of the late 1960s and early 70s changed all that. Sex is no longer seen as a sacred act reserved ...