WORKS CITED
blogs.abcnews.com/
theblotter2006/07/
report_says_fed.html
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Teen Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy
So many personal struggles are different to each individual person, as the saying goes, “to each its own.” A topical issue that is at hand in today’s society is teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is now becoming a prominent factor in today’s growing America. . I do not agree that teen pregnancy is becoming an “acceptable” factor in today’s growing America. It is evident to me more and more that this issue is slowly becoming part of a normalcy, after being brought to my attention (Gulli). I had never thought that teen pregnancy was such a big issue, and how common it was, until after the fact I had become pregnant myself and it had opened my eyes. If that is the way (getting pregnant) to getting teenagers to see the reality of how socially common this issue is (which it should not), then there are precautions that this society needs to take to make sure that this acceptability is not a compelling risk factor in a teen’s potential future, because it is making teens think this is an okay thing. If this issue keeps going the way it is, then there will no longer be anything wrong with teen pregnancy; it will just be another norm in society, just like tying your shoes.
Another concern to go along with this evolving issue is the effect that teen pregnancy has on a family system. Not only does this issue affect the new forming family (mother, father—if involved, and new baby), but it affects the family that is involved with both the mother and the father (again, if involved). A teenager nearly never, has a stable financial situation for themselves, let alone another human being, without the support of a parent or parents. This is one way that this affects the family. The family has to take on the additional financial complication of the teenager during, before, and after the pregnancy until that teen can fully support themselves. This often becomes difficult too because it makes it difficult for a teen to engage themselves in school or a solid, good-paying job because they usually are dropping out of high-school, or not going to college, or unable to find a job because their first priority is with the child; little did they think that this would be a concerning issue, before they became pregnant. Therefore, without a high-school diploma, a college degree, or experience in a work field, when a teenager does go to find a job this makes it more difficult for them to find a secure job because of the lack of prerequisites, correct education, and lack of experience. This also leads to the instability of the future for the family (both the internal and external) with a never ending cycle.
I agree that teen pregnancy affects the entire family (Bartell.) I have learned from my own experience that I was not the only one affected by my own pregnancy. If that was the case, I would have been alone and on my own before, during, and after the entire incident. I also agree with the emotions expressed in this article, some of which include: fear, scariness, instability, anger, confusion, all of which are overwhelming. But, I also realize that because I was not the only one involved with my pregnancy, that the ones who helped me throughout the pregnancy, also experienced some, if not all, of these feelings as well.
I fully agree with the fact that there is more involved with the situation of just before and during teen pregnancy, but the other end of the deal as well, which is before teen pregnancy. In “Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen’s Perspective,” the authors use their information straight from teenagers. I have learned that the lack of knowledge and reinforcement of contraceptives could better be brought to teens and adolescents attention (Pregnancy Prevention.) This in turn could help to reduce teen pregnancy. Also, I agree that unfulfilled emotional needs are a major aspect for this issue as well. This is an area parents need to focus on, in order to help with this issue as well. I find that teen pregnancy is a combined effort, and needs all parts to collaborate in order for prevention to happen. How can you or society as a whole help? This may be a question that is on the tip of concerned persons tongue. As previously mentioned, it is important for the reinforcement of contraceptives and excessive need for knowledge about teen pregnancy prevention. This is important because it is necessary in order to help teens to better understand that teen pregnancy is an underestimated issue.
Pregnancy involves several different components that are considerable before, during, and after conception. This is a concept that can be difficult for grown-adults that are thinking of becoming full-time parents, let alone young teenagers, who aren’t even fully developed (be it mentally and/or physically), who are trying to engage in a very grown up situation. Several motives come into play, such as survival needs, health needs, financial well-being, affection and friendships, respect and esteem of self and others, new experiences, self actualization, and convenience. Survival needs are definitely an instinct for all humans. The new concept—the survival needs of another human life. A teen parent(s) does not only have to worry about the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of his or her self, but the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of her or their child. Health is a concern before, during, and after pregnancy. A teen is still a growing body herself, so taking into consideration that there is another being inside that she is also responsible for maintain a healthy life for is an another additional task that is hard to uphold. Financial well-being has already been discussed but cannot be further implied enough!! A baby is such a difficult addition to a person’s life and one must, must, must be financially prepared to help to support that baby fully, or have means of backup. Affection and friendship is an important aspect of bonding between a teen and the baby. Building trusting, loving, protective, and reliable relationships is key and vital to stability in a child’s life. While a teen is still trying to do this in her or their life(s), it is hard to set that stable environment for a child as well when they haven’t fully developed this as a person themselves. Building one’s esteem is also linked to setting a stable environment, going along with key relationships, because this ties in with the teen having to fully develop their self before being able to develop another’s esteem.
It is definitely difficult for a person to be able to deal with all these concepts on a “self” level as a teen because they are not developed themselves. With that being said, how is it possible for a teen to focus on growing themselves with another human that they are responsible for from the day of conception. This brings to my point. Teen pregnancy is becoming more and more accepting, and why? With responsibilities that teens are already focused on, such as school, “learning” to plan and build a future, building relationships, finding out about themselves, how are they going to take on an additional responsibility if they are not even grown and fully developed themselves to instill, teach, and lead a child? Teenagers are children that are soon to be adults—key word soon—but they still have so much to learn before they can endure the responsibility of a child. I have learned through experience that teenage pregnancy is not an easy thing. I did not act or think responsibly when I did the action I had done. I did not think about any consequences. When the day came and that small stick said positive, I had a big dose of reality hit me at once, without preparation. This happens to all teens, and to those who think it is easy, they better think again (Surviving.) I am here to tell you that without all the help I had, and still have today, I would not be able to take care of my child fully. There are many plans that I had to change in order to best accommodate my son. I could not go to WVU like I had planned because the living situation was not one that was suitable. I wouldn’t have had the help of family nearby. I could not live in a dorm for sure. I wasn’t even sure that I could do college any more. College was for myself, but now it is for my son. I have to better myself in order to support him. It is important for a young teen to know that it is no longer about that teen anymore, it is about that innocent child inside or beside of you. That alone is a scary thought. But it is what is necessary. I am pleased to say that I am making it day to day with my 8 ½ month old baby boy, with the full support of family, friends, his father (also my boyfriend), as well as some financial help (Benson). But, I was one of the lucky ones. What if you don’t have the support of any of your family, friends, the baby’s father, or financial support? What if you are alone or only have the support of a few of these options? I am here to say that you need the full support of all of these things, and still at times it doesn’t seem like enough. This brings me to my last point that teen pregnancy is a “grown-up” decision; one that teens are not capable of handling on their own.
WORKS CITED
Bartell, Susan S. "Teen Pregnancy: The Impact on a Family System.." International Journal of Childbirth Education 20.2 (June 2005): 19-21. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=17296475&site=ehost-live.
Benson, Mark J. "After the Adolescent Pregnancy: Parents, Teens, and Families." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 21.5 (Oct. 2004): 435-455. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14579225&site=ehost-live.
Corcoran, Jacqueline, Cynthia Franklin, and Holly Bell. "Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen Perspective." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 14.5 (Oct. 1997): 365-382. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110854&site=ehost-live.
Gulli, Cathy, et al. "Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story)." Maclean's 121.3 (28 Jan. 2008): 40-44. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=31968517&site=ehost-live.
Surviving Teen Pregnancy: Your Choices, Dreams and Decisions." Child Welfare 72.2 (Mar. 1993): 190-190. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14611094&site=ehost-live.
So many personal struggles are different to each individual person, as the saying goes, “to each its own.” A topical issue that is at hand in today’s society is teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is now becoming a prominent factor in today’s growing America. . I do not agree that teen pregnancy is becoming an “acceptable” factor in today’s growing America. It is evident to me more and more that this issue is slowly becoming part of a normalcy, after being brought to my attention (Gulli). I had never thought that teen pregnancy was such a big issue, and how common it was, until after the fact I had become pregnant myself and it had opened my eyes. If that is the way (getting pregnant) to getting teenagers to see the reality of how socially common this issue is (which it should not), then there are precautions that this society needs to take to make sure that this acceptability is not a compelling risk factor in a teen’s potential future, because it is making teens think this is an okay thing. If this issue keeps going the way it is, then there will no longer be anything wrong with teen pregnancy; it will just be another norm in society, just like tying your shoes.
Another concern to go along with this evolving issue is the effect that teen pregnancy has on a family system. Not only does this issue affect the new forming family (mother, father—if involved, and new baby), but it affects the family that is involved with both the mother and the father (again, if involved). A teenager nearly never, has a stable financial situation for themselves, let alone another human being, without the support of a parent or parents. This is one way that this affects the family. The family has to take on the additional financial complication of the teenager during, before, and after the pregnancy until that teen can fully support themselves. This often becomes difficult too because it makes it difficult for a teen to engage themselves in school or a solid, good-paying job because they usually are dropping out of high-school, or not going to college, or unable to find a job because their first priority is with the child; little did they think that this would be a concerning issue, before they became pregnant. Therefore, without a high-school diploma, a college degree, or experience in a work field, when a teenager does go to find a job this makes it more difficult for them to find a secure job because of the lack of prerequisites, correct education, and lack of experience. This also leads to the instability of the future for the family (both the internal and external) with a never ending cycle.
I agree that teen pregnancy affects the entire family (Bartell.) I have learned from my own experience that I was not the only one affected by my own pregnancy. If that was the case, I would have been alone and on my own before, during, and after the entire incident. I also agree with the emotions expressed in this article, some of which include: fear, scariness, instability, anger, confusion, all of which are overwhelming. But, I also realize that because I was not the only one involved with my pregnancy, that the ones who helped me throughout the pregnancy, also experienced some, if not all, of these feelings as well.
I fully agree with the fact that there is more involved with the situation of just before and during teen pregnancy, but the other end of the deal as well, which is before teen pregnancy. In “Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen’s Perspective,” the authors use their information straight from teenagers. I have learned that the lack of knowledge and reinforcement of contraceptives could better be brought to teens and adolescents attention (Pregnancy Prevention.) This in turn could help to reduce teen pregnancy. Also, I agree that unfulfilled emotional needs are a major aspect for this issue as well. This is an area parents need to focus on, in order to help with this issue as well. I find that teen pregnancy is a combined effort, and needs all parts to collaborate in order for prevention to happen. How can you or society as a whole help? This may be a question that is on the tip of concerned persons tongue. As previously mentioned, it is important for the reinforcement of contraceptives and excessive need for knowledge about teen pregnancy prevention. This is important because it is necessary in order to help teens to better understand that teen pregnancy is an underestimated issue.
Pregnancy involves several different components that are considerable before, during, and after conception. This is a concept that can be difficult for grown-adults that are thinking of becoming full-time parents, let alone young teenagers, who aren’t even fully developed (be it mentally and/or physically), who are trying to engage in a very grown up situation. Several motives come into play, such as survival needs, health needs, financial well-being, affection and friendships, respect and esteem of self and others, new experiences, self actualization, and convenience. Survival needs are definitely an instinct for all humans. The new concept—the survival needs of another human life. A teen parent(s) does not only have to worry about the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of his or her self, but the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of her or their child. Health is a concern before, during, and after pregnancy. A teen is still a growing body herself, so taking into consideration that there is another being inside that she is also responsible for maintain a healthy life for is an another additional task that is hard to uphold. Financial well-being has already been discussed but cannot be further implied enough!! A baby is such a difficult addition to a person’s life and one must, must, must be financially prepared to help to support that baby fully, or have means of backup. Affection and friendship is an important aspect of bonding between a teen and the baby. Building trusting, loving, protective, and reliable relationships is key and vital to stability in a child’s life. While a teen is still trying to do this in her or their life(s), it is hard to set that stable environment for a child as well when they haven’t fully developed this as a person themselves. Building one’s esteem is also linked to setting a stable environment, going along with key relationships, because this ties in with the teen having to fully develop their self before being able to develop another’s esteem.
It is definitely difficult for a person to be able to deal with all these concepts on a “self” level as a teen because they are not developed themselves. With that being said, how is it possible for a teen to focus on growing themselves with another human that they are responsible for from the day of conception. This brings to my point. Teen pregnancy is becoming more and more accepting, and why? With responsibilities that teens are already focused on, such as school, “learning” to plan and build a future, building relationships, finding out about themselves, how are they going to take on an additional responsibility if they are not even grown and fully developed themselves to instill, teach, and lead a child? Teenagers are children that are soon to be adults—key word soon—but they still have so much to learn before they can endure the responsibility of a child. I have learned through experience that teenage pregnancy is not an easy thing. I did not act or think responsibly when I did the action I had done. I did not think about any consequences. When the day came and that small stick said positive, I had a big dose of reality hit me at once, without preparation. This happens to all teens, and to those who think it is easy, they better think again (Surviving.) I am here to tell you that without all the help I had, and still have today, I would not be able to take care of my child fully. There are many plans that I had to change in order to best accommodate my son. I could not go to WVU like I had planned because the living situation was not one that was suitable. I wouldn’t have had the help of family nearby. I could not live in a dorm for sure. I wasn’t even sure that I could do college any more. College was for myself, but now it is for my son. I have to better myself in order to support him. It is important for a young teen to know that it is no longer about that teen anymore, it is about that innocent child inside or beside of you. That alone is a scary thought. But it is what is necessary. I am pleased to say that I am making it day to day with my 8 ½ month old baby boy, with the full support of family, friends, his father (also my boyfriend), as well as some financial help (Benson). But, I was one of the lucky ones. What if you don’t have the support of any of your family, friends, the baby’s father, or financial support? What if you are alone or only have the support of a few of these options? I am here to say that you need the full support of all of these things, and still at times it doesn’t seem like enough. This brings me to my last point that teen pregnancy is a “grown-up” decision; one that teens are not capable of handling on their own.
WORKS CITED
Bartell, Susan S. "Teen Pregnancy: The Impact on a Family System.." International Journal of Childbirth Education 20.2 (June 2005): 19-21. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=17296475&site=ehost-live.
Benson, Mark J. "After the Adolescent Pregnancy: Parents, Teens, and Families." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 21.5 (Oct. 2004): 435-455. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14579225&site=ehost-live.
Corcoran, Jacqueline, Cynthia Franklin, and Holly Bell. "Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen Perspective." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 14.5 (Oct. 1997): 365-382. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110854&site=ehost-live.
Gulli, Cathy, et al. "Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story)." Maclean's 121.3 (28 Jan. 2008): 40-44. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=31968517&site=ehost-live.
Surviving Teen Pregnancy: Your Choices, Dreams and Decisions." Child Welfare 72.2 (Mar. 1993): 190-190. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14611094&site=ehost-live.
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