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Childishness: most of the teenagers have a naïve mind, like shyness and sensitivity to others for instance the male refuses to use protective mechanisms like the condom. They fail to use contraceptives because they simply think it is not feminine to precondition your mind towards having sex or to take precaution against getting pregnant.
Cognitive Emotional Immaturity: the hallmark of cognitive development is the ability to think about things that have not yet been experienced. Thought that is limited by experience is limited to what happened before. The teenager is now entering the form of of thought in which they can consider an event that may only exist as a possibility for them. Once she had never been pregnant she thinks it is impossible to happen to her . An example is a thirteen year old girl falling in love with an older boy, and thinking of nothing but how to please the boy. The idea of becoming pregnant or contracting sexually transmitted diseases is a secondary matter to her. Some of the girls even think it cannot happen to them even though it happens to other people. An eighteen year girl has this to say:
"Like when I’m having sex, I don’t really connect it with getting pregnant because I’ve never being pregnant you know, and a lot of my friends have but I can’t picture it happening to me. And like you really don’t connect it you know, until once you’ve been pregnant. Because when it’s never happened you say why should it happen? Or it’s never happened yet you know."
Rape: this is another crucial factor, it can be attributed to a lot of things notably it is the dressing of teenagers exposing their attractive parts leads much to be desired. Another point is the poverty, some men take advantage of that and lure teenagers into having sex under the pretence of helping them.
Broken home is also identified as a factor, children mostly suffers since they lack the parental control of the two parties. Some children take advantage of that to indulge in social vices including early sex which later may result in teenage pregnancy.
Mention should also be made of media. There is some films that are pornographic which is not good for teenagers to watch. Most of them after watching that arouse their interest in sex and turn to try it irrespective of the dangers involved. The media should not forget that teenagers are inquisitive and wish to experiment in whatever they see.
Sometimes traditional practise is also factors in some communities. Teenage girls are giving to marriage as early as fourteen years. The worst part is they are giving to men who are by far older than them, while in other communities the chief is allowed to marry many wives, most of which are teenagers.
Some interviews conducted in some selected Junior Secondary Schools in Accra the teenagers had these views:
Question: Have you heard about teenage pregnancy?
Answer: Yes.
What is teenage pregnancy? Some said becoming pregnant while in school, others also said becoming pregnant between the ages of eleven and twenty years. What are the causes of teenage pregnancy? About half of the participants mentioned insecurity, poverty, self esteem, bad upbringing, and lack of knowledge about reproduction. Others attributed it to rape, cognitive emotions and the traditional practices of early marriage, not forgetting the grand outdooring organized in some communities attracts teenagers to also bring forth. Another point mentioned was unemployment. Do you talk about sex? The answer was yes, but only with our peers.
Why not with your parents and teachers? The answer was parents will scold them and take them for spoiled children but for the teachers it is mere shyness and respect. How can we solve the problem of teenage pregnancy? The answer was through the introduction of sex education which include HIV/AIDS, abstinence from sexual intercourse until one is married, and that the parent should provide the needs of their children. Rapists should be punished.
What then are some effects of teenage pregnancy on the youth? Teenage mothers generally face social obstruction and drop out of school. Lack of social and family support makes them a part of the lower level in society where they cannot afford basic necessities like adequate nutrition and health care due to poverty. These mothers are unable to take care of themselves during pregnancy. They are likely to face complications during childbirth. The babies may not also be able to receive proper health care and nutrition which may later affect their physical and mental development.
Some teenage mothers become frustrated and take to prostitution and other social vices, and some of them looking at the danger ahead may resort to abortions and many have their early exit to the grave.
The effect of teenage pregnancy on the society are easily observed as the level of education and growth are affected. Due to the increase population government is stressed on its budget to increase social amenities for the nation. Since the teenagers do not plan their family they cannot give good parental guidance to these children and the children end up becoming armed robbers, drug addicts and criminals. This I must confess negates the very developmental efforts of a state.
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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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