Negative Effects Of Teenage Pregnancy On Society

Social isolation and poverty make them vulnerable to risky behaviors, which can affect society by creating financial challenges for the government, which needs to invest in the rehabilitation and welfare of teenage mothers and their babies.

Effects Of Teenage Pregnancy On Society

Our society relies on moral beliefs, ethics, and human etiquettes. And unfortunately, teenage pregnancy is viewed as taboo. Society, as progressive as it wants to be, cannot embrace the concept of a pregnant teen mother.

And, here we look at some of the negative effects of teenage pregnancy on the child, the teenage mother, and society:

1. Illiteracy:

Teenagers experiencing early motherhood cannot pursue their higher education due to the added responsibility of raising a child, which can negatively impact their academic and career goals, thereby contributing to a higher rate of illiteracy in society.

The education of the teen mother remains on hold during pregnancy, and some teens even decide to drop out of their high school and find a job to supplement themselves.

Teens who plan to attend college have to bear taunts, acidic remarksⁱ, and arrogant discourses from their peers about their pregnancy and baby. In such circumstances, teen moms decide to focus on the baby or plan to get married rather than pursuing a higher education.

Researchers conclude that most teenage pregnancies end with education dropouts because of the fear of embarrassment, humiliation, and harassment from the fellow friends and college mates.

Teenage pregnancy statistics states that only one-third of teen moms can even acquire the high school diploma, and a few also get a college degree.

2. Loss Of Government Revenue:

Reducing teen pregnancy can be beneficial in decreasing welfare dependency. In most developing nations, government’s plan welfare schemes to take adequate care of teen mothers and their dependent children, recognizing that the lack of career opportunities often leaves these mothers in a vulnerable financial position. As the low-qualified mother cannot get a good job, she completely depends on such welfare schemes to overcome impending financial distress.

In the United States, the annual expenses to fund teenage pregnancies cost around $7 billion. The government has to spend money on public assistance, child health care, and foster careⁱ, to facilitate proper upbringing of the child.

Teen mothers do not have to pay the taxes, and the government has to face a huge loss of revenue.

3. Social Obligations:

Stereotypes and stigmas surrounding teenage pregnancy can contribute to social isolation and discrimination, limiting opportunities for young parents and their children.

A teenage mother has to face several social obligations like not getting a good job, not getting respect from friends and family members.

The entire social life of the teen mother gets ruined due to her early parenthood and unexpected pregnancy, and she has to spend her life in emotional trauma.

4. Lack Of Financial Support:

A teen mother who does not get proper financial support from her parents or friends has to face a severe financial crunch.

She has to face extreme difficulty to buy basic items for her newborn baby like, clothing and baby care products.

5. Increased Risk Of Destitution:

As teenage pregnancy hinders the mom from pursuing higher education and acquiring basic qualifications, she lands up in a poorly paid job.

In most cases, the biological father abandons the teen mom, and the baby becomes her sole responsibility. Hence, the mother ends up living in poverty and running the risk of imminent destitution.

Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of spending the entire life in poverty for both the teen parents and the baby, particularly those who come from low socioeconomic status. As fewer teen moms attain proper educational degrees and qualifications, they cannot find suitable and well-paid jobs to improve their financial position.

Teenage pregnancy is most of the time linked to the lower annual income of the mother. As a result, 80% of teen mothers have to rely on social welfare schemes planned by the nation.

6. Medical Complications:

Teenage pregnancy increases the risks of medical complications in both the mother and her baby.

A lack of proper prenatal care often induces medical complications like high blood pressure, anemia, and premature birth of the baby.

Although advisable, it isn’t always possible for the teen mother to go for regular prenatal checkups, which increase the risk of medical conditions.

Moreover, teen pregnancy increases the likelihood of medical complications in the baby, and they may suffer from low birth weight, blindness, deafness, respiratory problems, and even an increased risk of infant mortality.

7. Emotional Crisis:

After getting pregnant at an early age, the teen mother may suffer from a huge emotional crisis due to a lack of social support from the family.

Severe emotional and mental breakdown triggers the onset of evil behavior like suicide attempts or attempting to self-abort the baby.

The teen mother experiences severe depression while facing negative feedback about the pregnancy from society.

8. Substance Abuse:

Substances are a good way to adjust reality and soften the blow. Society can be cruel, often driving teen moms over the edge. It is not surprising that such women turn to substances to quell the ongoing negativity. For some, it becomes an unhealthy coping skill that provides some escapism for them.

Studies conclude that teenage pregnancy directly affects teenage drug addiction rates.

9. Work Harder Than Others:

For those of you who think parenting is a task, imagine having to do it all alone, with no support and no one to talk with! Teen moms face several consequences.

However, the reality is that they have to work harder than others. The poor literacy rates and a lack of education make it harder to support the child.