Learn about the effects of teenage pregnancy.
Pregnancy : Effects of Teenage Pregnancy

The effects of teenage pregnancy can be felt both socially and economically. Teenage pregnancy has an impact on the increase in the number of people involved in substance abuse, crimes and also in the number of people affected by many health problems like mental disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. The widespread of AIDS in today’s world is also one of the results of teen pregnancy.

Teenaged mothers generally face social ostracisation and drop out of school. The 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 lack of support, awareness and means ,these mothers are unable to take adequate care of themselves during pregnancy. This lack of care during pregnancy leads to complications in childbirth. Complications like premature labor and low birth weight of their babies are a result of teenage pregnancies. Babies of teenaged mothers may not be able to receive proper health care and nutrition. They suffer from problems related to mental and physical health.

Along with the unwed mothers even teenaged fathers pose a risk to the social and economic progress of society. These single parents are unable to provide financial and social support to their babies or families. This frustration leads them to activities like dropping out of schools and colleges, doing drugs and sometimes to the extent of committing crimes. Experts believe most babies of teenaged or unwed mothers also fall into the same trap as their mothers and become teenaged or unwed mothers themselves resulting in the formation of a vicious circle.

Effects of teenage pregnancy on society are easily observed as the level of education and growth is affected the productivity of the people is also affected. Governments have realized this problem and started many governmental support and welfare programs to create awareness on this issue.