Argumentive Essay

Samantha Castillo

Ms. McKoy

English 2- 4^th Block

18 May 2012

Babies having Babies

You would think the latest trend among teenagers would associate clothes and attitudes; however, it is more advanced- to advance for teenagers. Pregnancy has become more common among teenagers since the unexpected increased in 2006. (Minnick and Shandler 241) As teenagers, we only think about having the best time, but the best time can lead to a lifetime of problems with no solutions. Everyone judges and thinks it will never happen to him/her until one of them become a teenage mother. Then, the hardships and regret begin. I have witness people judging teenage mothers, and I have witnessed the pain teenage mothers go through. We try to prevent this misfortune but never look at the big picture, which is the reasoning behind becoming pregnant as a teenager. I see teenage mothers almost everywhere and constantly wonder why.

Teenage Pregnancy has been an issue since the beginning of time. However, the most recent increase in teenage pregnancy was in 2006. (Minnick and Shandler 241) The United States has continually had the highest rate of teenage pregnancy among developed countries. (Minnick and Shandler 241) Personally, I did not notice the high rate of teenage pregnancy until the show “16 and Pregnant” aired in 2009. There were multiple seasons of this MTV show. Then, a spin of show to “16 and Pregnant” named “Teen Mom” aired and became very popular amongst all ages. Both of these shows are currently airing with the goal to show teenagers the effects of being a teenage mother.

According to the journal, Changing adolescent perceptions on Teenage Pregnancy written by Lauren Shandler and Dorlisa J. Minnick, teenagers do not consider the consequences when intentionally becoming pregnant. They believe childbearing will bring their relationship with the other parent stronger, or a child will be there to love them. Male encouragement on having a child, also, influences teenage girls to become pregnant. Also stated in this journal, teenagers believe babies will reduce loneliness amongst themselves.

The article Changing adolescent Perceptions on Teenage Pregnancy listed the effects of being a teenage mother. There are many effects to becoming a teenage mother. Many teenagers experience postpartum depression after nine months of giving birth. Also, teenage mothers are most likely to attain lower levels of education and put their children in danger. Children of teenage mothers are at an increased risk to put into foster care. Even though some pregnancies are intentional and non-intentional, they both increase the chances of sexual transmitted diseases and smoking among the teenage parent. In a video having several teenage mothers tell about their experience of being a teenage mother, depending on the government for support was another effect from being a teenage mother.

According to the article Sexual Education, sexual education classes and teenage pregnancy were proven not linked in a study performed by researchers from Washington University in St. Louis. Teenage pregnancy rates are proven higher in states that are politically and religiously conservative. Also, states with specific laws on abortion have high birth rates. However, in the article Secret Contraceptive Implants Forced on Teen Girls, Britain’s new idea on teenage pregnancy prevention has lowered adolescent birth rates by 22%. Teenage girls have been injected with contraceptive implants without their parent’s knowledge, which caused controversy among the parents. This contraceptive implant is injected into their blood stream and last up to three years. They, also, allow facts on safe sex, condoms, pregnancy test, and a range of contraceptive methods. Britain has one of the lowest teenage pregnancy birth rates in Europe.

                 Teenage pregnancy has been widespread problem since the beginning of time. There are many ways of prevention; however, it all comes down to the individual teenager. With many evidence and research I have concluded that teenage pregnancy is 100% preventable.