Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage or underage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant. The term in everyday speech usually refers to women who have not reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world, who become pregnant. The age of majority is the threshold of Adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared in Law.

The average age of menarche (first menstrual period) in the United States is 12. Menarche (American English məˈnɑrki British English mɛˈnɑːki is the first menstrual period, or first menstrual bleeding in the females of Human beings 5, though this figure varies by ethnicity^[1] and weight, and first ovulation occurs only irregularly until after this. Note This article deals primarily with Human ovulation nonhuman Animal ovulation is touched on briefly at the conclusion The average age of menarche has been declining and is continuing to do so. Whether fertility leads to early pregnancy depends on a number of factors, both societal and personal. Worldwide, rates of teenage pregnancy range from 143 per 1000 in some sub-Saharan African countries to 2. 9 per 1000 in South Korea. ^[2][3]

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s. Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by" is the surgical speciality dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during Pregnancy However, there are additional medical concerns for younger mothers, particularly those under 15 and those living in developing countries. ^[4] For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor, but additional risks may be associated with socioeconomic factors. ^[5]

Data supporting teenage pregnancy as a social issue in developed countries include lower educational levels, higher rates of poverty, and other poorer "life outcomes" in children of teenage mothers. Debt AIDS Trade in Africa (or DATA) is a Multinational non-government organization founded in January 2002 in London by U2 's Social issues are matters which directly or indirectly affect many or all members of a Society and are considered to be problems controversies related to Moral values The term developed country, or advanced country, is used to categorize countries with developed Economies in which the tertiary and quaternary sectors Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social stigma in many communities and cultures. Social stigma is severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or Beliefs that are against cultural norms. For these reasons, there have been many studies and campaigns which attempt to uncover the causes and limit the numbers of teenage pregnancies. ^[6] In other countries and cultures, particularly in the developing world, teenage pregnancy is usually within marriage and does not involve a social stigma. Developing countries are countries that haven't reached Western-style standards of democratic government free market economy industrialization social programs and human rights guaranties ^[7]

Contents 1 Global incidence 2 Causes of teenage pregnancy 2.1 Adolescent sexual behavior 2.2 Age discrepancy in relationships/statutory rape 2.3 Sexual abuse 2.4 Dating violence 2.5 Socioeconomic factors 2.6 Childhood environment 2.7 Commentator opinion 2.8 Public opinion 3 Limiting teenage pregnancies 4 Medical outcomes 5 Socioeconomic and psychological outcomes 5.1 Impact on the mother 5.2 Impact on the child 5.3 Impact on other family members 6 Teenage fatherhood 7 In the arts, films and literature 8 See also 9 References 10 External links 10.1 Organizations 10.2 Articles 10.3 Forums and support sites

Global incidence

Live births per 1000 women 15-19 years old, 2002:^[8]

Country	Teenage birth rate per 1000 women 15-19
South Korea	3
Netherlands	5
Tunisia	7
Australia	16
United Kingdom	20
Russia	30
United States	53
Indonesia	55
South Africa	66
Brazil	73
Bangladesh	117
Niger	233

Main article: Global incidence of teenage pregnancy

A report by Save the Children found that, annually, 13 million children are born to women under age 20 worldwide, more than 90% in developing countries. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Tunisia (تونس Tūnis officially the Tunisian Republic ( is a country located in North Africa. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially Niger ( or /ˈnaɪdʒɚ/) officially the Republic of Niger, is a Landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. Industrialized and developing countries have distinctly different rates of Teenage pregnancy. Save the Children is a leading international organisation helping children in need around the world Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality among women between the ages of 15 and 19 in such areas. Complications of pregnancy are the symptoms and problems that are associated with Pregnancy. Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a Human Pregnancy or Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific ^[4] The highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the world is in sub-Saharan Africa, where women tend to marry at an early age. Sub-Saharan Africa is a geographical term used to describe the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara, or those African countries ^[2] In Niger, for example, 87% of women surveyed were married and 53% had given birth to a child before the age of 18. Niger ( or /ˈnaɪdʒɚ/) officially the Republic of Niger, is a Landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. ^[9] In South Africa, it is believed that this problem of teenage pregnancies is the result of introducing child support grant in 1999.

In the Indian subcontinent, early marriage sometimes means adolescent pregnancy, particularly in rural regions where the rate is much higher than it is in urbanized areas. This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Rural areas can be large and isolated (also referred to as "the country" and/or "the countryside over the course of time Urbanizationn (also spelled urbanisation) is the physical growth of Urban areas into rural or natural land as a result of population in-migration to an existing The rate of early marriage and pregnancy has decreased sharply in Indonesia and Malaysia, although it remains relatively high. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and In the industrialized Asian nations such as South Korea and Singapore, teenage birth rates are among the lowest in the world. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Singapore ^[10]

The overall trend in Europe since 1970 has been a decreasing total fertility rate, an increase in the age at which women experience their first birth, and a decrease in the number of births among teenagers. The total fertility rate ( TFR, sometimes also called the fertility rate, period total fertility rate (PTFR or total The United Kingdom, which has the highest teenage birth rate in Europe, also has a higher rate of abortion than most European countries. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In contrast, most continental Western European countries have very low rates. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' This is varyingly attributed to good sex education and high levels of contraceptive use (in the case of the Netherlands and Scandinavia), traditional values and social stigmatization (in the case of Italy and Spain) or both (in the case of Switzerland). Sex education is a broad term used to describe Education about human sexual anatomy, Sexual reproduction, Sexual intercourse, Reproductive Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well Traditional values refer to those Beliefs Moral codes, and Mores that are passed down from generation to generation within a Culture, Subculture Social stigma is severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or Beliefs that are against cultural norms. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation ^[3]

The teenage pregnancy rate was actually at an all time high in the 1950s. The increase in teenage birth rate since then has been birth rates out of wedlock. ^[11] The teenage birth rate in United States is the highest in the developed world, and the teenage abortion rate is also high. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[3] However, the teenage pregnancy rate has been decreasing significantly in recent years, particularly since the early 1990s. This decline has manifested across all racial groups, although teenagers of African-American and Hispanic descent retain a higher rate, in comparison to that of European-Americans and Asian-Americans. The term race or racial group usually refers to the concept of categorizing Humans into Populations or groups on the basis of various sets African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Hispanic (hispano hispánico hispânico Hispānus adjective from ''Hispānia'', the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically Kinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin through either biological cultural or historical descent A European American (Euro-American is a person who resides in the United States and is either from Europe or is the descendant of European immigrants Asian Americans are Americans of Asian ancestry. They include sub-ethnic groups such as Chinese Americans Filipino Americans Indian The Guttmacher Institute attributed about 25% of the decline to abstinence and 75% to the effective use of contraceptives. The Guttmacher Institute is a Non-profit organization which works to advance Reproductive health as defined by the World Health Organization. Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of Sexual activity. Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent ^[12] The Canadian teenage birth has also trended towards a steady decline for both younger (15-17) and older (18-19) teens in the period between 1992-2002. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page ^[13]However, as of 2007 the teenage pregnancy rate in the U. S. has begun to rise, reversing a fourteen year trend.

Causes of teenage pregnancy

In some societies, early marriage and traditional gender roles are important factors in the rate of teenage pregnancy. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioural norms associated particularly with Males or Females in a given social group or system For example, in some sub-Saharan African countries, early pregnancy is often seen as a blessing because it is proof of the young woman's fertility. ^[9] In the Indian subcontinent, early marriage and pregnancy is more common in traditional rural communities compared to the rate in cities. ^[10]

In societies where adolescent marriage is uncommon, an early age at first intercourse and lack of contraceptive use may be factors. Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent ^[3][14] Most teenage pregnancies in the developed world appear to be unplanned. ^[14][15]

Adolescent sexual behavior

See also: Adolescent sexuality

According to information available from the Guttmacher Institute, sex by age 20 is the norm across the world and countries with low levels of adolescent pregnancy accept sexual relationships among teenagers and provide comprehensive and balanced information about sexuality. See also Human sexuality, Adolescence Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings behavior and development in adolescents and is a stage of human The Guttmacher Institute is a Non-profit organization which works to advance Reproductive health as defined by the World Health Organization. ^[16]

However, in a Kaiser Family Foundation study, 29% of teens reported feeling pressure to have sex, 33% of sexually active teens reported "being in a relationship where they felt things were moving too fast sexually", and 24% had "done something sexual they didn’t really want to do". The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF, or just Kaiser Family Foundation, is a U ^[17] Inhibition-reducing drugs and alcohol may encourage unintended sexual activity. Drug abuse has a wide range of definitions related to taking a Psychoactive drug or Performance enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon ^[3][18][17] According to Leonard Sax (a physician and writer about sex differences), girls often become intoxicated before engaging in sexual activities because it "numbs the experience for them, making it less embarrassing and less emotionally painful. "^[19]

Adolescents may lack knowledge of, or access to, conventional methods of preventing pregnancy, as they may be too embarrassed or frightened to seek such information. ^[20][21] However, some recent studies have found that the rate of contraceptive use among teenage girls is roughly the same as that among older women. ^[22]

In other cases, contraception is used, but proves to be inadequate. Inexperienced adolescents may use condoms incorrectly or forget to take oral contraceptives. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. Contraceptive failure rates are higher for teenagers, particularly poor ones, than for older users. The Pearl Index, also called the Pearl rate, is the most common technique used in Clinical trials for reporting the effectiveness of a Birth control method ^[18] Longer term methods such as injections, subcutaneous implants, the vaginal ring, or intrauterine devices last from a month to years and may prevent pregnancy less effectively in women who have trouble following routines, including many young women. Vaginal rings (also known as intravaginal rings, or V-Rings) are 'doughnut-shaped' polymeric Drug delivery devices designed to provide controlled release The use of more than one contraceptive measure decreases the risk of unplanned pregnancy, and if one is a condom barrier method, the transmission of sexually transmitted disease is also reduced. A recent study in the U. S found that 25% of teenage girls with previous abusive relationships, say their partners actively tried to get them pregnant by manipulating condom use, sabotaging birth control, or explicitly saying they want them to become pregnant. ^[23]

Age discrepancy in relationships/statutory rape

Studies indicate that an important contributing factor is an age discrepancy between the teenage girl and the man who impregnates her. Teenage girls in relationships with older boys and in particular adult men, are more likely to become pregnant than when involved with someone their own age. They are also more likely to carry the baby to term rather than receive an abortion. A review of California's 1990 vital statistics found that men older than high school age sired 77 percent of all births to high school-aged girls (ages 16-18) and 51 percent of births to junior high school-aged girls (15 and younger). Men over age 25 fathered twice as many teenage births as did boys under age 18, and men over age 20 fathered five times more births to junior high school-aged girls than did junior high school-aged boys. A 1992 Washington state study of 535 adolescent mothers found that 62 percent of the teenage mothers had had a history of rape or sexual molestation by men whose ages averaged 27 years. This study found that, compared with nonabused mothers, abused adolescent mothers initiated sex earlier, had sex with much older partners, and engaged in riskier, more frequent, and promiscuous sex. Studies by the Population Reference Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics found that about two-thirds of births to teenage girls in the United States are fathered by adult men age 20 or older. ^[24]

Sexual abuse

Rape is a majority factor in pregnancies under age 15 and a minority, but still significant, factor above age 15. Two-thirds of births to teenage girls in the United States are fathered by adult men age 20 and over. ^[25] Studies have found that between 11% and 20% of pregnancies in teenagers are a direct result of rape, while about 60% of teenage mothers had unwanted sexual experiences preceding their pregnancy. Before age 15, a majority of first intercourse experiences among females are reported to be non-voluntary. The Guttmacher Institute found that 60% of girls who had sex before age 15 were coerced by males an average of six years their senior. One in five teenage fathers admitted to forcing girls to have sex with them. ^[26] Multiple studies have indicated a strong link between early childhood sexual abuse and subsequent teenage pregnancy in industrialized countries. Up to 70% of women who gave birth in their teens were molested as little girls, in contrast to the average of 25% for women who did not. ^{[27][28][29][30]}

In many countries, sexual intercourse between a minor and an adult is not legally treated as consensual because the minor is said to lack the maturity and competence to make an informed decision to engage in fully consensual sex with an adult, may be easily taken advantage and/or manipulated by an adult due to their lack of knowledge, may be in a precarious situation due to issues of power and control (teacher/student situation), and are less likely to comprehend the ramifications of sexual intercourse. Sex with a minor in developed countries is treated as statutory rape though this differs according to the jurisdiction. The phrase statutory rape is a term used in some legal jurisdictions to describe consensual Sexual relations that take place when an individual (regardless of gender has sexual For example in the United States many states outlaw sex with anyone under 18, in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands it is illegal for a man to have sex with a girl under 16, in Italy it is not illegal unless she is under 14, and in Spain it is legal unless she is under 12. (see age of consent). While the phrase age of consent typically does not appear in legal Statutes when used with in relation to sexual activity, the age of consent is the minimum age at

Dating violence

Studies have indicated that adolescent girls are often in abusive relationships at the time of their conceiving. ^{[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]} They have also reported that knowledge of their pregnancy has often intensified violent and controlling behaviours on part of their boyfriends. ^[38][39] Women under age 18 are twice as likely to be beaten by their child's father than women over age 18. ^[40]A UK study found that 70% of women who gave birth in their teens had experienced adolescent domestic violence. ^[41] Similar results have been found in studies in the U. S. A Washington study found 70% of teenage mothers had been beaten by their boyfriends, 51% had experienced attempts of birth control sabotage within the last year, and 21% experienced school or work sabotage. Birth control sabotage is a phenomenon where an intimate partner tries to control the other's reproduction manipulating Birth control use and undermining efforts to prevent ^[42]

In a study of 379 pregnant or parenting teens and 95 teenage girls without children, 62% of the girls aged 11-15 years and 56% of girls aged 16-19 years reported experiencing domestic violence at the hands of their partners. Moreover, 51% of the girls reported experiencing at least one instance where their boyfriend attempted to sabotage their efforts to use birth control. ^[43]

Socioeconomic factors

Poverty is associated with increased rates of teenage pregnancy. Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and ^[18] Economically poor countries such as Niger and Bangladesh have far more teenage mothers compared with economically rich countries such as Switzerland and Japan. Niger ( or /ˈnaɪdʒɚ/) officially the Republic of Niger, is a Landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ^[8]

In the UK, around half of all pregnancies to under 18s are concentrated among the 30% most deprived population, with only 14% occurring among the 30% least deprived. ^[44] In Italy, the teenage birth rate in the well-off central regions is only 3. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Central Italy is a geographic area in Italy that encompasses four of the country's 20 autonomous regions: Lazio Marches 3 per 1,000, but, in the poorer Mezzogiorno it is 10. Geography Southern Italy forms the lower "boot" of the Italian peninsula containing the ankle (Abruzzo and Molise and southern Lazio the toe (Calabria and the heel 0 per 1000. ^[3] Sociologist Mike A. Males noted that teenage birth rates closely mapped poverty rates in California:^[45]

County	Poverty rate	Birth rate*
Marin County	5%	5
Tulare County (Caucasians)	18%	50
Tulare County (Hispanics)	40%	100

* per 1000 women aged 15-19

There is little evidence to support the common belief that teenage mothers become pregnant to get benefits, welfare, and council housing. Mike A Males (born 1950 is an American Sociologist who taught for five years through 2006 at the UC Santa Cruz. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. March 11, 1889 | Tulare County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U Tulare County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U Most knew little about housing or financial aid before they got pregnant and what they thought they knew often turned out to be wrong. Student financial aid refers to funding intended to help students pay education expenses including Tuition and fees Room and board, books and supplies etc ^[15]

Childhood environment

Women exposed to abuse, domestic violence and family strife in childhood are more likely than those without such experiences to have a teenage pregnancy, and the risk increases with the number of adverse childhood experiences. Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse) occurs when a family member partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate According to a 2004 study, one-third of teenage pregnancies could be prevented by eliminating exposure to abuse, violence and family strife. The researchers note that "family dysfunction has enduring and unfavorable health consequences for women during the adolescent years, the childbearing years, and beyond. " When the family environment does not include adverse childhood experiences, becoming pregnant as an adolescent does not appear to raise the likelihood of long-term, negative psychosocial consequences. ^[46]Studies have also found that boys raised in homes with a battered mother, or who experienced physical violence directly, were significantly more likely to impregnate a girl than boys who had not. ^[47]

Studies have also found that girls whose fathers left the family earlier in their lives had the highest rates of early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. Girls whose fathers left them at a later age had a lower rate, with lowest rates found in girls whose fathers were present throughout their childhood. Even when the researchers took into account other factors that could have contributed to early sexual activity and pregnancy, such as behavioral problems and life adversity, early father-absent girls were still about five times more likely in the United States and three times more likely in New Zealand to experience an adolescent pregnancy than were father-present girls. ^[48][49]

Low educational expectations have been pinpointed as a risk factor. ^[50] A girl is also more likely to become a teenage parent if her mother or older sister gave birth in her teens. ^[51][52]

Foster care youth are more likely than their peers to become pregnant as teenagers. Foster care is a system by which a certified stand-in "parent(s" cares for minor Children or young peoples who have been removed from their birth parents The National Casey Alumni Study, which surveyed foster care alumni from 23 communities across the United States, found the birth rate for girls in foster care was more than double the rate of their peers outside the foster care system. A University of Chicago study of youth transitioning out of foster care in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin found that nearly half of the females had been pregnant by age 19. The Utah Department of Human Services found that girls who had left the foster care system between 1999 and 2004 had a birth rate nearly 3 times the rate for girls in the general population. ^[53]

Commentator opinion

Experts in the area and other commentators have offered varying opinions on the root causes of teenage pregnancy.

According to Gill Francis, of the National Children's Bureau, "There are four main reasons why girls in Britain become pregnant. The National Children's Bureau (NCB is a children's charity based in Islington, London. We don’t give children enough information; we give them mixed messages about sex and relationships; social deprivation means girls are more likely to become pregnant; and girls whose mothers were teenage mums are more likely to do the same". ^[20]

Laurence Shaw, a UK fertility specialist, has suggested that, despite the social stigma attached to teenage pregnancy, it is a natural biological adaptation to begin reproducing during the peak fertile period of the late teens and early twenties. Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population Social stigma is severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or Beliefs that are against cultural norms. This is the period of time when the fecundity rate (a measure of fertility) is highest, nearing 30%. Fecundity, derived from the word fecund, generally refers to the ability to Reproduce. ^[54]

According to Gracie Hsu of the Family Research Council, "contrary to the common perception that teenage sex and pregnancy typically stem from two teenagers getting caught up in the heat of the moment, new research reveals that many teenage girls are being sexually exploited and impregnated by adult men. The Family Research Council (FRC is a Christian right Non-profit Think tank and Lobbying organization. " She also highlights family breakdown, fatherless families, lack of parental supervision, cultural influences, and erosion of legal protections such as statutory rape laws. ^[55]

Public opinion

Opinion polls have also attempted to determine what some of the root causes of teenage pregnancy might be:

• Peer pressure: 76% of girls and 58% of boys in a 1996 Seventeen magazine survey reported that teenage females had sexual intercourse in response to their boyfriend's desire for it. An opinion poll is a survey of Public opinion from a particular sample. Peer Pressure is a term describing the pressure exerted by a Peer group in encouraging a person to change their Attitude, Behavior and/or Morals Seventeen is an American Magazine for teenagers. It was first published in 1944. Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally NOTICE*************** ^[21] A 2003 Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that one in three young men aged 15-17 said they had felt pressure from male friends to have sex. The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF, or just Kaiser Family Foundation, is a U Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings ^[56]
• Contraceptive use: In a 1996 Kaiser Family Foundation study, 46% of adolescents surveyed said that they believed teenage pregnancy resulted from the failure to keep contraception at the ready. Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent 23% of sexually active young women the 1996 Seventeen magazine poll admitted to having had unprotected sex with a partner who eschewed the use of a condom. Safe sex (also called safer sex or protected sex) is the practice of Sexual activity in a manner that reduces the risk of Infection with ^[21] 70% of girls in a 1997 PARADE poll claimed it was embarrassing to buy birth control or request information from a doctor. For other uses of the word (with different case see Parade (disambiguation. ^[21]
• Parental relationship: 66% of girls in the 1997 PARADE survey said that the likelihood becoming pregnant as a teen increased if one had parents who were inattentive, unloving, or failed to instill moral values. ^[21] A majority of respondents in a 1988 Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies survey attributed the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy to a breakdown of communication between parents and child and also to inadequate parental supervision. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Interpersonal communication is defined by communication scholars in numerous ways though most involve participants who are interdependent on one another have a shared history Parental supervision is a Parenting technique that involves looking after or monitoring a child's activities ^[21]
• Mass media: In the 1997 PARADE survey, 57% replied that sexualized content in film, 55% in television, and 44% in music helped to influence teenagers to engage in sexual activity before they are ready. "Popular press" redirects here note that the University of Wisconsin Press publishes under the imprint "The Popular Press" Sexualization is the pernicious application of sexuality or sexual perceptions to an individual or class Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. ^[21] A 1996 U.S. News & World Report poll, which asked about how television programs might contribute to the incidence of teenage pregnancy, found that 46% thought TV played a large role, 30% that it had some effect, 14% that it had little effect, 9% that it had none. USNews & World Report is an influential weekly American Newsmagazine published in Washington D A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U ^[21]
• 36% in the 1997 PARADE survey said they believed that an adolescent might become pregnant to satisfy a desire for unconditional love. Love is any of a number of Emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong Affection. 24% said they believed that a girl might also become pregnant in an attempt to retain or win back a boyfriend.

Limiting teenage pregnancies

Many health educators have argued that comprehensive sex education would effectively reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, although opponents argue that such education encourages more and earlier sexual activity. Sex education is a broad term used to describe Education about human sexual anatomy, Sexual reproduction, Sexual intercourse, Reproductive

In the UK, the teenage pregnancy strategy, which was run first by the Department of Health and is now based out of the Children, Young People and Families directorate in the Department for Education and Skills, works on several levels to reduce teenage pregnancy and increase the social inclusion of teenage mothers and their families by:

• joined up action, making sure branches of government and health and education services work together effectively;
• prevention of teenage pregnancy through better sex education and improving contraceptive and advice services for young people, involving young people in service design, supporting the parents of teenagers to talk to them about sex and relationships, and targeting high-risk groups;
• better support for teenage mothers, including help returning to education, advice and support, work with young fathers, better childcare and increasing the availability of supported housing. The Department of Health (DH is a department of the United Kingdom government but with responsibility for government policy for England alone on Health The Department for Education and Skills (DfES was a United Kingdom government department between 2001 and 2007

The teenage pregnancy strategy has had mixed success. Although teenage pregnancies have fallen overall, they have not fallen consistently in every region, and in some areas they have increased. There are questions about whether the 2010 target of a 50% reduction on 1998 levels can be met.

In the United States the topic of sex education is the subject of much contentious debate. Some schools provide "abstinence-only" education and virginity pledges are increasingly popular. Virginity pledges (or abstinence pledges) are commitments made by Teenagers and young adults to refrain from Sexual intercourse until Most public schools offer "abstinence-plus" programs that support abstinence but also offer advice about contraception. A team of researchers and educators in California have published a list of "best practices" in the prevention of teen pregnancy, which includes, in addition to the previously mentioned concepts, working to "instill a belief in a successful future", male involvement in the prevention process, and designing interventions that are culturally relevant. ^[57]

The Dutch approach to preventing teenage pregnancy has often been seen as a model by other countries. The curriculum focuses on values, attitudes, communication and negotiation skills, as well as biological aspects of reproduction. The media has encouraged open dialogue and the health-care system guarantees confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach. ^[58]

In the developing world, programs of reproductive health aimed at teenagers are often small scale and not centrally coordinated, although some countries such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka have a systematic policy framework for teaching about sex within schools. ^[10] Non-governmental agencies such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation provide contraceptive advice for young women worldwide. The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global Non-governmental organization with the broad aims of promoting sexual and Reproductive health, and Laws against child marriage have reduced but not eliminated the practice. Child marriage usually refers to two separate social phenomena which are practiced in some societies Improved female literacy and educational prospects have led to an increase in the age at first birth in areas such as Iran, Indonesia, and the Indian state of Kerala. traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write or the ability to use Language to read, write, listen, For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}};

Medical outcomes

Maternal and prenatal health is of particular concern among teens who are pregnant or parenting. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female The worldwide incidence of premature birth and low birth weight is higher among adolescent mothers. Premature birth (also known as preterm birth) is the Birth of a Baby before the standard period of Pregnancy is completed Birth weight is the weight of a baby at its birth. It has direct links with the Gestational age at which the child was born and can be estimated ^[6][59][5] Research indicates that pregnant teens are less likely to receive prenatal care, often seeking it in the third trimester, if at all. Prenatal care refers to the medical care recommended for women before and during Pregnancy. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female ^[5] The Guttmacher Institute reports that one-third of pregnant teens receive insufficient prenatal care and that their children are more likely to suffer from health issues in childhood or be hospitalized than those born to older women. A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for ^[60] However, studies have indicated that young mothers who are given high-quality maternity care have significantly healthier babies than those that do not. Many of the health-issues associated with teenage mothers, many of whom do not have health insurance, appear to result from lack of access to high-quality medical care. ^[61] Many pregnant teens are subject to nutritional deficiencies from poor eating habits common in adolescence, including attempts to lose weight through dieting, skipping meals, food faddism, snacking, and consumption of fast food. Many Diseases in humans are directly or indirectly caused by improper eating habits and Malnutrition. This article is primarily about the human diet For a discussion of animal diets see List of feeding behaviours. Weight loss, in the context of Medicine or Health or Physical fitness, is a reduction of the total Body weight, due to a mean loss of fluid Dieting is the practice of ingesting food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all Food, Drink, or both for a period of time Food faddism and Fad diet refer to idiosyncratic diets and eating patterns A snack food (commonly called a snack) is seen in Western culture as a type of food not meant to be eaten as a main Meal of the day – Breakfast Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly ^[62]

Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy is an even more marked problem among teenagers in developing countries. Nutrition and pregnancy refers to the nutrient intake and dietary planning that is undertaken before during and after pregnancy Developing countries are countries that haven't reached Western-style standards of democratic government free market economy industrialization social programs and human rights guaranties ^[63][64] Complications of pregnancy result in the deaths of an estimated 70,000 teen girls in developing countries each year. Complications of pregnancy are the symptoms and problems that are associated with Pregnancy. Young mothers and their babies are also at greater risk of contracting HIV. Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ^[4] The World Health Organization estimates that the risk of death following pregnancy is twice as great for women between 15 and 19 years than for those between the ages of 20 and 24. The maternal mortality rate can be up to five times higher for girls aged between 10 and 14 than for women of about twenty years of age. Illegal abortion also holds many risks for teenage girls in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa. ^[9]

Risks for medical complications are greater for girls 14 years of age and younger, as an underdeveloped pelvis can lead to difficulties in childbirth. The pelvis (pl pelvises or pelves) or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a Human Pregnancy or Obstructed labour is normally dealt with by Caesarean section in industrialized nations; however, in developing regions where medical services might be unavailable, it can lead to eclampsia, obstetric fistula, infant mortality, or maternal death. A Caesarean section (or Cesarean section in American English) also known as C-section, is a form of Childbirth in which a surgical The term developed country, or advanced country, is used to categorize countries with developed Economies in which the tertiary and quaternary sectors Eclampsia is a serious complication of Pregnancy and is characterised by convulsions. Obstetric fistula (or vaginal fistula) is a severe medical condition in which a Fistula (hole develops between either the Rectum and Vagina Infant mortality is defined as the number of deaths of Infants (one year of age or younger per 1000 live births Maternal death, or maternal mortality, also "obstetrical death" is the Death of a woman during or shortly after a Pregnancy. ^[4] For mothers in their late teens, age in itself is not a risk factor, and poor outcomes are associated more with socioeconomic factors rather than with biology. ^[5]

Socioeconomic and psychological outcomes

Several studies have examined the socioeconomic, medical, and psychological impact of pregnancy and parenthood in teens. Socioeconomics or socio-economics is the study of the relationship between economic activity and Social life. Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Life outcomes for teenage mothers and their children vary; other factors, such as poverty or social support, may be more important than the age of the mother at the birth. Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and Social support is the physical and Emotional comfort given to us by our Family, friends co-workers and others Many solutions to counteract the more negative findings have been proposed. Teenage parents who can use family and community support, social services and child-care support to continue their education and get higher paying jobs as they progress with their education.

Impact on the mother

Being a young mother in an industrialized country can affect one's education. Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school. High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution ^[6] Recent studies though have found that these mothers had already dropped out of school prior to becoming pregnant and those in school at the time of their pregnancy were as likely to graduate as their peers. One study in 2001 found that women who gave birth during their teens completed secondary-level schooling 10-12% as often and pursued post-secondary education 14-29% as often as women who waited until age 30. Australia See also Education Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage third level and' post-secondary education', is the educational level following the completion of a school providing ^[65]

Young motherhood in an industrialized country can affect employment and social class. Employment is a Contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in Societies or Cultures. Less than one third of teenage mothers receive any form of child support, vastly increasing the likelihood of turning to the government for assistance. ^[66]The correlation between earlier childbearing and failure to complete high school reduces career opportunities for many young women. ^[6] One study found that, in 1988, 60% of teenage mothers were impoverished at the time of giving birth. Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and ^[67] Additional research found that nearly 50% of all adolescent mothers sought social assistance within the first five years of their child's life. Welfare is financial assistance paid to people by governments ^[6] A study of 100 teenaged mothers in the United Kingdom found that only 11% received a salary while the remaining 89% were unemployed. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A salary is a form of periodic payment from an Employer to an Employee, which may be specified in an Employment contract. Unemployment occurs when a person is available to work and currently seeking work but the person is without work. ^[68] Most British teenage mothers live in poverty, with nearly half in the bottom fifth of the income distribution. Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and ^[69] Teenage mothers are seven times more likely to commit suicide than other teenagers. [3]

One-fourth of adolescent mothers will have a second child within 24 months of the first. Factors that determine which are more likely to have a closely-spaced repeat birth include marriage and education: the likelihood decreases with the level of education of the young woman – or her parents – and increases if she gets married. ^[70]

Impact on the child

Early motherhood can affect the psychosocial development of the infant. The occurrence of developmental disabilities and behavioral issues is increased in children born to teen mothers. Developmental disability is a term used to describe life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical or combination of mental and physical impairments Behavior or behaviour (see spelling differences) refers to the actions or Reactions of an object or Organism, usually ^[71][72] One study suggested that adolescent mothers are less likely to stimulate their infant through affectionate behaviors such as touch, smiling, and verbal communication, or to be sensitive and accepting toward his or her needs. Stimulation is the action of various agents ( stimuli) on Muscles Nerves or a sensory end organ by which activity is evoked especially the nervous Affection is defined by the Random House Dictionary as "disposition or state of mind or body Haptic communication is the means by which people and other animals communicate via touching This article is about the facial expression For the typographical symbol see Smiley. Linguistics is the scientific study of Language, encompassing a number of sub-fields The sensitivity or insensitivity of a Human, often considered with regard to a particular kind of stimulus, is the strength of the Feeling it Acceptance, in Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Human Psychology, usually refers to the experience of a situation without an intention to change ^[71] Another found that those who had more social support were less likely to show anger toward their children or to rely upon punishment. Social support is the physical and Emotional comfort given to us by our Family, friends co-workers and others Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage Punishment is the practice of imposing something unpleasant or aversive on a person or animal usually in response to disobedient or morally wrong behavior ^[73]

Poor academic performance in the children of teenage mothers has also been noted, with many of them being more likely than average to fail to graduate from secondary school, be held back a grade level, or score lower on standardized tests. In Education, a grade (or mark is a teacher's standardized Evaluation of a Student 's work Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an Academic degree or the associated ceremony Educational stages vary around the world Some countries describe the different stages in years whereas other countries use a system of grades A standardized test is a test administered and scored in a consistent manner ^[6] Daughters born to adolescent parents are more likely to become teen mothers themselves. A parent is a Father or Mother; one who sires or gives ^[52][6] A son born to a young woman in her teens is three times more likely to serve time in prison. In Law, a sentence forms the final act of a Judge -ruled process and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function A prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned and usually deprived of a range of ^[74]

Impact on other family members

Teen pregnancy and motherhood can have an influence upon younger siblings. One study found that the little sisters of teen mothers were less likely to place emphasis on the importance of education and employment and more likely to accept sexual initiation, parenthood, and marriage at younger ages; little brothers, too, were found to be more tolerant of non-marital and early births, in addition to being more susceptible to high-risk behaviors. Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display In Common law, legitimacy is the status of a Child that is born to parents who are legally married to one another or that is born shortly after the Recklessness (also called unchariness) is disregard for or indifference to the dangers of a situation or for the consequences of one's actions ^[75] An additional study discovered that those with an older sibling who is a teen parent often end up babysitting their nieces and nephews and that young girls placed in such a situation have an increased risk of getting pregnant themselves. cousin in Kinship terminology is a relative with whom one shares a common Ancestor, but in modern usage the term is rarely used when referring to a ^[51] Social workers play an important role in intervention with families. They work with the families to address common problems and health issues in order to promote a positive outcome for both the family and the baby.

Teenage fatherhood

In some cases, the father of the child is the husband of the teenage girl. The conception may occur within wedlock, or the pregnancy itself may precipitate the marriage (the so-called shotgun wedding). A shotgun wedding is a Wedding that is arranged to avoid embarrassment due to an unplanned Pregnancy, rather than out of the desire of the participants In countries such as India and Greece, the majority of teenage births occur within marriage. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία ^[3][10]

In other countries, such as the United States and the Republic of Ireland, the majority of teenage mothers are not married to the fathers of their children. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. ^[3][76] In the UK, half of all teenagers with children are lone parents, 40% are cohabitating as a couple and 10% are married. ^[77] Teenage parents are frequently in a romantic relationship at the time of birth, but many adolescent fathers do not stay with the mother and this often disrupts their relationship with the child. Research has shown that when teenage fathers are included in decision-making during pregnancy and birth, they are more likely to report increased involvement with their children in later years. ^[78] In the U. S, eight out of ten teenage fathers do not marry their child's mother. ^[79]

However, "teenage father" may be a misnomer in many cases. Studies by the Population Reference Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics found that about two-thirds of births to teenage girls in the United States are fathered by adult men age 20 or older. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB a nonprofit organization informs people around the world about population health and the environment and seeks to help them use that information National Center for Health Statistics ( NCHS) is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC which is part of the United States Department of ^[80][81] The Guttmacher Institute reports that over 40 percent of mothers aged 15-17 had sexual partners three to five years older and almost one in five had partners six or more years older. ^[82] A 1990 study of births to California teens reported that the younger the mother, the greater the age gap with her male partner. ^[83] In the UK 72% of jointly registered births to women under the age of 20, the father is over the age of 20, with almost 1 in 4 being over 25. ^[84]

In the arts, films and literature

Teenage pregnancy has been used as a theme or plot device in fiction, including books, films, and television series. A Book is a set or collection of written printed illustrated or blank sheets made of Paper, Parchment, or other material usually fastened together A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U The setting may be historical (The Blue Lagoon) or contemporary (One Tree Hill). The Blue Lagoon is a 1980 English language romance and Adventure film starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins One Tree Hill is a teen television drama created by Mark Schwahn that premiered on September 23 2003 on The WB Television Network. While the subject is generally treated in a serious manner (Junk), it can sometimes play up to stereotypes in a comic manner (Vicky Pollard in Little Britain ). For the William S Burroughs novel also known as Junk see Junkie. A Alan Played by David Walliams Appearances Series 3 Alan works for the Donkey Hospice in the town of Achingballs Little Britain is a character-based comedy Sketch show first appearing on BBC radio and then television

The pregnancy itself may be the result of sexual abuse (Rose in The Cider House Rules), a one-night stand (Amy Barnes in Hollyoaks) or a romantic relationship (Demi Miller in EastEnders); unusually, in Quinceañera, the central character becomes pregnant through non-penetrative sex. Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual acts by one person upon another The Cider House Rules is a 1985 novel by John Irving. It has been adapted into a film of the same name and a stage play by Peter Parnell. A one-night stand is originally a single night theatre performance (usually a guest group on tour and today more commonly also a single sexual encounter between individuals Amy Barnes is a Fictional character on the long-running Channel 4 British television Soap opera Hollyoaks. Hollyoaks is a British television Soap opera which was first broadcast on 23 October 1995 on Channel 4. Demi Miller was a Fictional character in the popular BBC Soap opera EastEnders. EastEnders is a most popular and award-winning Television Soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC1 on 19 February 1985 Quinceañera is a 2006 American Independent film written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. Non-penetrative sex (also known as outercourse and dry sex) is Sexual activity without Vaginal Anal, and Oral penetration The drama often focuses around the discovery of the pregnancy and the decision to opt for abortion (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), adoption (Mom at Sixteen, Juno), marriage (Reba and Jeni, Juno) or life as a single mother (Someone Like You). An Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen - Comedy film written by Cameron Crowe (adapted Adoption is the act of legally placing a child with a Parent or parents other than those to whom they were born Mom at Sixteen is a 2005 made for television Movie about a sixteen-year-old mother dealing with problems at school and her decaying relationship Juno is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Reba was an American sitcom starring Country music singer Reba McEntire. Jenny Juno is a 2005 South Korean Romantic film written and directed by Kim Ho-joon A single parent (also lone parent and sole parent) is a Parent who cares for one or more children without the assistance of another parent in the home Someone Like You is a 1998 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen. In the German play Spring Awakening (and the Broadway musical based upon it), the central female character gets pregnant and dies from a botched abortion. Spring Awakening ( German: Frühlings Erwachen) is the German Dramatist Frank Wedekind 's first major play and a seminal Spring Awakening is a Tony Award -winning rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Stephanie Daley deals with the aftermath of a teenage pregnancy that ends with a dead newborn baby. Stephanie Daley is an award-winning 2006 film starring Amber Tamblyn, Melissa Leo, Tilda Swinton and Timothy Hutton While the pregnant girl herself is normally the chief protagonist, Too Young to Be a Dad centers on a 15-year-old boy whose girlfriend becomes pregnant, while The Snapper focuses on the reactions of the family, particularly the soon-to-be grandfather. Too Young To Be A Dad is a made-for-television movie that aired in May 2002 on Lifetime. In the 2007 Oscar winning film Juno, a young teenage girl deals with being pregnant. The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best script not based upon previously published material Juno is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody.

Other fiction, particularly in a long-running television series, looks at the long-term effects of becoming a parent at a very young age (Degrassi Junior High). Degrassi Junior High is a Canadian CBC Television Teen drama series that was produced from 1987-1989 as part of the Degrassi In Gilmore Girls, because Lorelai Gilmore is only 16 years older than her daughter Rory, the two are more like sisters than parent and child. Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino Lorelai Gilmore is a Fictional character on the television series Gilmore Girls, played by Lauren Graham. This is a list of characters for the Comedy-drama Television series Gilmore Girls. Looking for Alibrandi also features the teenage daughter of a woman who was herself a teenage mother. This article is about the film See Looking For Alibrandi (novel for the book In The George Lopez Show, Benny Lopez, George's Mother gave birth to George at 16. George Lopez (also known as The George Lopez Show) is an American Sitcom starring comedian George Lopez that originally aired

Songs about teenage pregnancy include downbeat tales of abuse ("Brenda's Got a Baby"), poverty ("In The Ghetto") and back-alley abortion ("Sally's Pigeons"), as well as upbeat and defiant tunes such as "Papa Don't Preach". "Brenda's Got a Baby" is the solo debut single by Tupac Shakur, and tenth track from his debut album 2Pacalypse Now. “ In the Ghetto ” is a song written by Mac Davis and was originally titled " The Vicious Circle " "Sally's Pigeons" is a pop Song by Cyndi Lauper that was featured on her 1993 Album Hat Full of Stars. " Papa Don't Preach " is the second single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 3rd studio album True Blue and was released American pop singer Fantasia Barrino, who was 17 when she gave birth to her daughter, released a controversial song about single motherhood entitled "Baby Mama", describing the difficulty of raising a child alone with limited financial and family support. Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984) or simply Fantasia, is an American R&B / soul singer and Broadway "Baby Mama" is an R&B / Hip-hop Song by Fantasia from her debut Album Free Yourself. (Many U. S. radio stations would not play the song, ostensibly because it contains a profanity. The original meaning of the adjective profane (from the Latin for "in front of or outside the Temple " was to refer to items not belonging to the church ) "There Goes My Life", a modern country song, focuses on the reaction of the father, who rhetorically asks, "I'm just a kid myself; how am I going to raise one?" As the daughter grows up, his attitude changes, and the song ends with his tearful farewell as she leaves for college. In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Due to its implied pro-life message, "There Goes My Life" was sung at the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2005. Overview See also Ethical aspects of abortion Pro-life individuals generally believe that human life should be valued either from conception or Implantation George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States.

Autobiographies that look at the author’s own experience of teenage motherhood include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou, Coal Miner's Daughter by Loretta Lynn, and Riding in Cars with Boys by Beverly D'Onofrio. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 Autobiography about the early years of author Maya Angelou's life Maya Angelou (ˈmaɪə ˈændʒəloʊ (born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928) is an American Poet, Memoirist For the 1969 country music song see Coal Miner's Daughter (song Coal Miner's Daughter is a 1980 American biographical Loretta Lynn (born Loretta Webb on April 14, 1934) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter; she was one of the leading Riding in Cars with Boys is a 2001 film based on the Autobiography of the same name by Beverly D'Onofrio, about a woman who overcame difficulties Beverly D'Onofrio is an Author most noted for writing Riding in Cars with Boys, an autobiographical account of her life

See also

Age of consent Adolescent sexuality Birth control Birth rate Family planning Gynaecology List of youngest birth mothers Nutrition and pregnancy Obstetrics Pregnancy over age 50 Prenatal care Reproduction Single parent Sex education Teenage fatherhood Teenage pregnancy and sexual health in Britain Sexual abstinence Sexually transmitted disease Statutory rape Virginity pledge

References

• Luker, Kristin. (1996). Dubious Conceptions: The Politics of Teenage Pregnancy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-21702-0

External links

Organizations

• Teenage Pregnancy Unit
• The California Wellness Foundation Teenage Pregancy Prevention Program
• National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• Family Focus Australia - First Steps Program to support Teenage mothers and their children

Articles

• "Reducing Teenage Pregnancy" by Deborah Weiss
• "I Want It Now!, or Why Becoming a Parent Should Never be Rushed" by Heather Corinna
• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Teen Pregnancy

Forums and support sites

• Teenage pregnancy support and advice forum
• Teenage pregnancy forum
• The Young Mommies Help Site
• StandUpGirl : young mothers and pregnant teen peer support.
• Girl-Mom: online community for young mothers.
• Young Mums To Be: educational program from British teens.
• YWCA England & Wales: Respect Young Mums
• Handbook for Pregnant Teens
• Teen Health Support Site

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