The Issue of Teenage Pregnancy in Canada

When I went to a grade 12 prom, I was very surprised to see a couple who were just celebrating their child’s second birthday, the mother being only a year older than me. This situation prompted me to want to do more research on teen pregnancy and why it happens. Teenage pregnancy is an issue in Canada and without intervention, it will cause harm to young girls’ lives. This essay will go over some of the causes of teenage pregnancy, whether it is an issue in Canada or not, some ways it is being prevented, and some ways pregnant teenagers are being helped. Teen pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy of a girl aged 15 to 19 as of delivery date or end of the pregnancy. It is not a new problem, the rate of teen pregnancy in Canada is lower now than it was in 1974.The Issue of Teenage Pregnancy in Canada

One cause of teenage pregnancy is not being properly educated. If teen girls do not know what the consequences and options are, they will have a higher chance of becoming pregnant. The socio-economic class of teen parents also plays a big part in teen pregnancy because if they do not have sufficient access to various forms of contraception, the likelihood of becoming pregnant is greatly increased. Another force that may be driving teens to have sex earlier, and getting pregnant accidentally, is the media. There are often many sexual themes in a lot of shows aimed towards younger audiences. The examples being set by these shows and the media may influence how the young people act. There is more US data on effects on the children than Canadian data. It can be assumed that the effects will be similar in Canada. Babies born to young mothers tend to have lower birth weights which can lead to complications during their first years. However, there is not a difference in the development of motor and mental skills between children born to teen mothers or to 20-29-year-old mothers. There are many negative effects teen pregnancy can have on the children, but they are secondary effects of the age of the mother. If a girl becomes pregnant at a young age, it will be much more difficult for her to finish her education, thus making it harder for her to find a good job to support her child. She also may not have a partner or the support of her family. The mother’s education, job, and social and economic situation play a bigger role in her child’s development than her age. Children of teenage pregnancies also have a higher chance of being neglected and are more prone to accidental injuries due to the neglect.The Issue of Teenage Pregnancy in Canada