Babies Having Babies
A generation ago, becoming an unwed parent was taboo, especially for the girl. Teenage pregnancies were quietly dealt with, and the baby was given up for adoption, or raised by an adult relative. Today, with the availability of contraceptives and the prevalence of AIDS, most people would assume teenage pregnancy would be on the decline. Quite the contrary! Instead, teenage pregnancies are on the rise in some communities. Three factors are some of the reasons why babies are having babies: social acceptance, lack of family values, and a low self esteem.
Due to changes in the social view of teenage pregnancy, more young people are becoming teenage parents before reaching adulthood. Today, approximately 50% of 9th-12th graders have admitted to being sexually active. Put in other
Due to changes in the social view of teenage pregnancy, more young people are becoming teenage parents before reaching adulthood. Today, approximately 50% of 9th-12th graders have admitted to being sexually active. Put in other
words 50% of children between 14 and 19 years of age have risked becoming parents. Instead of teaching abstinence until marriage, like a generation past, children are taught to practice "safe sex". Some parents have abdicated parental guidance, or admitted defeat, and simply encouraged children to use birth control. Unfortunately, no contraceptive method is proven to be 100% affective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies. In addition, despite extensive sex education in the schools, children take the risk of conception simply because all their friends are active. Thus, many babies are born, or aborted, because teenage sex is an accepted norm, rather than the exception.
In addition to social acceptance, babies are having babies because of a lack in family values. Today, at least 50% of marriages will end in divorce. As a result, many children are being raised in single parent homes. The traditional family values of previous generations have gone down the tubes. In many cases, Mum or Dad are reluctant to remarry, so the new partner simply moves in and assumes the role of spouse. Children are smart. Many children also follow the example of the parents. Instead of waited for a committed relationship, teenagers are simply going with the flow of the moment. If a relationship does not work out, do not work it out. Find someone else. Unfortunately, the value for intimate, long-lasting relationships is almost non-existent. Children have been taught that people, and relationships, are essentially disposable.
Unfortunately, some children have also been taught they are essentially disposable, and a lack in self-esteem often contributes to teenage pregnancy. Oftentimes, after a divorce, Dad is simply out of the picture. Mum is always at work, and the children are basically raising themselves. Instead of having a close family relationship, children are looking for closeness elsewhere. For example, during the course of a teenage romance, pressure to take the relationship a step further rears its ugly head. Fear of losing another loved one; teenagers acquiesce, hoping to find the close family relationship already missing in his/her life. In some cases, a purposeful pregnancy also means receiving the attention many teenagers are lacking. Many teenagers admit negative attention is better than none at all. In addition, girls imagine creating a little person who will love them unconditionally. At the time of conception, very few young ladies have a realistic concept of the struggles associated with raising a child. Nor does the subject of the child's will come into thought. A baby will not always be cute and cuddly; needy, demanding, self-centered, and crabby are also appropriate descriptions of babies and toddlers. Even given the facts, young people will often become teenage parents in the attempt to find acceptance and love.
In summary, although statisticians say teenage pregnancies are down, too many children are still becoming parents before they have the opportunity to finish growing up. Too many pregnancies are ending in abortion because the parents are simply too young to face the responsibility. Yet, many teenagers are facing parenthood because family values are lacking in the home, living together and premarital sex are now socially acceptable, and the fear of losing another loved one, unless the relationship is intimate. Regardless of the reasons, many young people are having babies, when they are still barely more than babies themselves.
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In addition to social acceptance, babies are having babies because of a lack in family values. Today, at least 50% of marriages will end in divorce. As a result, many children are being raised in single parent homes. The traditional family values of previous generations have gone down the tubes. In many cases, Mum or Dad are reluctant to remarry, so the new partner simply moves in and assumes the role of spouse. Children are smart. Many children also follow the example of the parents. Instead of waited for a committed relationship, teenagers are simply going with the flow of the moment. If a relationship does not work out, do not work it out. Find someone else. Unfortunately, the value for intimate, long-lasting relationships is almost non-existent. Children have been taught that people, and relationships, are essentially disposable.
Unfortunately, some children have also been taught they are essentially disposable, and a lack in self-esteem often contributes to teenage pregnancy. Oftentimes, after a divorce, Dad is simply out of the picture. Mum is always at work, and the children are basically raising themselves. Instead of having a close family relationship, children are looking for closeness elsewhere. For example, during the course of a teenage romance, pressure to take the relationship a step further rears its ugly head. Fear of losing another loved one; teenagers acquiesce, hoping to find the close family relationship already missing in his/her life. In some cases, a purposeful pregnancy also means receiving the attention many teenagers are lacking. Many teenagers admit negative attention is better than none at all. In addition, girls imagine creating a little person who will love them unconditionally. At the time of conception, very few young ladies have a realistic concept of the struggles associated with raising a child. Nor does the subject of the child's will come into thought. A baby will not always be cute and cuddly; needy, demanding, self-centered, and crabby are also appropriate descriptions of babies and toddlers. Even given the facts, young people will often become teenage parents in the attempt to find acceptance and love.
In summary, although statisticians say teenage pregnancies are down, too many children are still becoming parents before they have the opportunity to finish growing up. Too many pregnancies are ending in abortion because the parents are simply too young to face the responsibility. Yet, many teenagers are facing parenthood because family values are lacking in the home, living together and premarital sex are now socially acceptable, and the fear of losing another loved one, unless the relationship is intimate. Regardless of the reasons, many young people are having babies, when they are still barely more than babies themselves.
Do you want to use this article? Well you can as long as you do not edit or delete the resource box. Click Here to download.
