Did you know that nearly four in 10 young women in the U.S. will become pregnant at least once before 20-years-old? And that eight out of 10 teen pregnancies are unintended?
These are just a couple of reasons for National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM). NTPPM is an educational campaign created to help communities recognize the effects of unintended pregnancy and early childbearing are far-reaching.
When it comes to adolescent pregnancies, both the teenager and child are at risk:
- Future prospects for teenagers decline significantly if they have a baby
- There are serious risks for adolescents who have babies
- Teen pregnancy is closely linked to poverty and single parenthood
- Children born to teen mothers suffer from higher rates of low birth weight and related health problems
- Children of teens often have insufficient health care
- Children of teenagers frequently suffer from poor school performance
So how can we help prevent it?
Teach teens about the risks of teen sex and how to make choices that will create healthier lives for themselves and their future families
Educate them on things like:
- Healthy relationships and how they relate to sex and love
- How contraceptives work and what side effects and limitations they might have
- The reality that most teens who get pregnant face significant health risks as well as diminished economic and social opportunities
For more tips on preventing teen pregnancies, visit Teen Pregnancy Prevention.
Source: Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (May)
