Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy

Mothers have become younger and most often, these un-expecting mothers who are unprepared emotionally and financially that turn out to be not the parent they were supposed to be.

When teenagers and even young women become pregnant, they are forced to withdraw from their usual activities and are forced into facing responsibilities, they are not ready for.  Teenagers usually want to explore, take risks and meet more people but as mothers, these become limited and worst curtailed. However, as teenage mothers, they are forced to stay at home, to eat healthy food and to watch over their health regularly.

Teenage mothers could not go out to meet friends as often as they want to. While their fiends go to college or travel, mothers had to take care of their kids and save money for future expenses. That is a drastic change in priorities and perspective that few teenage mothers can be ready for.

Needless to say, this period brings severe emotional stress and even depression. And these young mothers need all the help they could get. The sudden shift in priorities, the transition from being single and free to becoming double and careful is too heavy for many young mothers. The support of friends, families and partners are therefore, crucial. They must know that although priorities have changed, they can still be who they want to be. They can still reach for their ambitions and fulfill their plans.

Conservatives and liberals are endlessly debating on how to curb teenage pregnancy, but the fact is it is already a fact. Instead of debating how to prevent it, there should be an equal amount of effort to setting up systems to protect the welfare of mothers and their children as well as opportunities, so they would not become a bigger burden to society.

Teenage pregnancy is a tragedy. But it is happening.  Allowing these mothers to give birth and watch over kids not prepared and allowing children to be left to the elements without the security of nutrition, health care and education will be a bigger tragedy not only for families but the society in general.