Teen Pregnancy

5 Pages 1254 Words

An increasing number of teenagers in America have and are becoming sexually active, and as a result, they are having children at a young age when they cannot properly provide for another human being. I believe that the reason teenagers are becoming sexually active at a young age is because today’s youth is maturing at younger age than in the past. They are also receiving a larger amount of freedom. As always, a person has sex, they are at a higher risk of getting pregnant. Teenagers do not have the education or the experience to be financially responsible for themselves or another person.
There are a few causes that have been associated with the subject of teen pregnancy. The media is one of these causes. “ In various surveys of teen behavior, investigators find American teens spend more time watching television than attending school, regard television as a primary source of information, and say television follows only parents and peers as an influential force in their lives” (William 1561). The media is also considered an influence in premature sexual activity. Some believe that sex is portrayed too much and too casually on television shows that are directed towards today’s adolescents. Further sexualization is shown through explicit lyrics in songs and explicit scenes in movies (William 1561).
Another cause being associated with teen pregnancy is how the child is raised. Having children at a young age is being associated with the raising of children in poverty and not having enough values on education. Another family aspect that is being associated with teen pregnancy is having a mother who had a child as a teenager. Poor communication, violence in the family, and poor discipline are also considered a cause of teen pregnancy. Parents often show a lack of preparedness when it comes to telling their children about normal sexual development and appropriate sexual behavior. By not discussing the subject, or not taking a realis...