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Many third world countries are swimming in the pool of poverty without knowing what to do or how to come out of it. Some heads of state both present and the past have tackled the root of poverty or they have lost sight of it. One of the major factors that lead to poverty is lack of planning or having dreams for the future. The bible even testifies that where there is no vision, dream, and planning the people perish.
Teenage pregnancy has been identified as one of the primary causes of poverty because the teenagers do not plan for themselves let alone their children before giving birth. Teenage pregnancy is on the increase in recent times and calls for collective efforts of governments, parents, clergies, stakeholders, youth and every concerned citizen to help address this social canker the earlier the better. One can not afford to see our youths, who are the future leaders, to be destroyed through teenage pregnancy their dreams and aspiration for the future are completely thwarted as a result of teenage pregnancy.They are left frustrated for all their lives. As a concerned citizen and youth development worker I am adding my voice to the masses to address this social canker which is invading our society rapidly.
It must be accepted that government can lay a sound foundation for economic prosperity without tackling teenage pregnancy which in a large is the set back to the prosperity of a nation. As I travel far and wide through the country, especially at the rural areas, the situation is highly appalling. I saw teenage mothers with their babies, dirty looking, and miserable and in most cases looking far older than their ages. I was touched hence decided to write on the topic causes, effects and some suggested solutions to teenage pregnancy. What then is teenage pregnancy? The term teenage pregnancy can be divided or broken into two for easy definition.
Teenage or adolescent can be defined as the period in life during which the growing individual makes a transition from childhood to adulthood, the anthologists call it the rites of passage. Some ethnic groups have a way of initiating a child into adulthood. In Ghana mention is made of the Krobos found in the eastern region where a young girl in her teen is taken through an exercise call “dipo” rites. After these rites, the young lady is declared ripe for dating and marriage .The teenage years cover a period between the ages from twelve and twenty years. There are some characteristic associated with this stage.
Firstly are the intellectual changes. Here the intellectual development is high with the physical development which is obvious, the second is the emotional changes like affection, aggressiveness and fears which are likely to cause problem for the teenager. The third is increasing sexual interest, the adolescent at this stage easily identify him or herself with the opposite sex and as a result becomes conscious of their outward appearance to be attracted by the opposite sex. The teenager at this stage seeks complete independence from parent and wishes to be treated like an adult, anything apart from that brings conflict.
Pregnancy: this begins with conception (the fertilization of an ovum by the sperm) it normally ends with childbirth. Having established the above facts, teenage pregnancy can be defined as conception by a girl between the ages of twelve and twenty years. Mostly these pregnancies are unplanned and have consequences on the parties involved in the pregnancy.
What are some of the causes of teenage pregnancy? There are many factors that cause teenage pregnancy and I am going to discuss some of them. The first is lack of information, many teenagers are misled to understand their reproductive capabilities, some believe they are too young to become pregnant or they have not had enough sex to become pregnant. Some adolescent are also anxious about their sexual activities that they are able to deal with social issues in practical ways. Parents either have little or no time to discuss the using of contraception with their teenage daughters and sons.
In actuality, there is a wide gap of communication on sexual matters between parents and their teenage girls and boys. The child exploits the environment to get answers on issues concerning sex because one is afraid to mention that to parents for various reasons such as being rebuked and branded as a “spoilt” ward. Either the parents take one for a spoilt child or scold him or her, due to that children lack the rich experiences of parents to guide them. They are exposed to peer advice which is blatant misinformation that lead them into troubles.
Another factor is inability to accept ones sexuality. Adolescents are confronted with sexual problems especially the teenagers. In some communities sexual behaviors are moral issues which are not likely to be openly examined and discussed while in another communities sexual concerns are looked at with secrecy and discussion is completely absent the teenagers are therefore uncomfortable to talk about their sexuality.
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ERNEST
Ernest Asiedu Odei is currently a Volunteer Co-Director for Youth Realities Network (YOUR-NET), a Youth Development Consultant who has worked extensively on the MDGs and the GPRS 1&2. He is also student at Ghana Christian University College pursuing a Degree in Theology majoring in Youth Ministry and Christian Education. He started his Youth Development work 6years ago and has gained immense experience from his day-to-day contact with all kinds of people in the Urban and Rural Communities.
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Comments
Motiational book for teens Ritchie Felix | Dec 12th, 2007
I believe so much in young people across the African continent. I have just published BestSeller for the Teens captioned: Motivation-Success Hand Book for Teens. Help recommend this book to others and organizations across the continent. I am a change agent and partner for progress and development of our Land. My GSM; 08039202454 or write: princefelixx@yahoo.com
Motiational book for teens Ritchie Felix | Dec 12th, 2007
I believe so much in young people across the African continent. I have just published BestSeller for the Teens captioned: Motivation-Success Hand Book for Teens. Help recommend this book to others and organizations across the continent. I am a change agent and partner for progress and development of our Land. My GSM; 08039202454 or write: princefelixx@yahoo.com
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