Teen Pregnancy a social Concern

Teen Pregnancy a Social Concern
“Sexuality is a normal part of human development; however sexual activity initiated during adolescence presents a number of challenges. Teenage pregnancy, in particular, is a major social concern” (Spear, H. 2001, pg. 574). Most research conducted on teen pregnancy has concentrated on incidents that cause a teen to become pregnant. Their social environment, educational status and families’ financial security all play a role in teen pregnancy (Spear, H. 2001 pg. 574). Even with all the studies conducted most teens refuse to accept the results and are confident being pregnant will not cripple their life. According to Spear, H. (2001) “Six of the seven adolescent mothers who participated in the study also described having children as bringing hope and meaning into their lives” (pg. 574). This study was done in a naturalistic environment meaning, it took place in a private setting that promoted openness and unbridled communication between the participants and proctor. Spear, H. (2001) stated “An alternative school program for pregnant teens aged 13 to 19 years was the setting of this study”, she also said “seven girls were African American and one was Caucasian” (pg.575). The first topic covered from this research was optimism. All participants viewed pregnancy as a new start and something to inspire them to achieve their goals for the future. The second topic covered, covered fighting with other female peers. All but two participants said “they refrained from fighting during pregnancy, but indicated that they would resort to the use of physical force after their babies were born” (Spear, H. 2001 pg. 577). The third topic covered in this research was the separation of pregnancy, parenting and marriage. This topic showed that just because the teen was pregnant, it was no reason to get married. It also conveyed all participants would rely heavily on their families for support. The last topic covered was nurturance towards their unborn child. All participants wanted to have their child and were willing to care for that child with the help of their families, even if this meant their needs were going to suffer. This study showed while all participants have great aspirations and goals, most will not achieve these goals according to previous research. While a scholar’s research view on teen pregnancy is very important; pop media has affected many young minds.
Everyone, no matter their age, is influenced by what the media perceives to be popular and in style. This is why companies spend millions of dollars on advertisements. Included is teen pregnancy, especially with shows directed at teens such as MTV’s production of “Teen Moms” and multiple teen Disney stars glamorizing teen pregnancies. Thanks to these shows our youth now thinks teen pregnancy is a pop culture norm. Gulli, C. (2008) wrote “As an idea, teen pregnancy is more socially accepted” and “in 2006, for the first time in 15 years the teen birth rate in America actually increased [due to the media influence]” (pg.41). Some would say the reason behind the increase in teen birth rates is due to movies, TV shows and celebrities making motherhood seem easy. The media is changing the public’s view of a traditional family; marriage is no longer needed because of the thoughts that the teen’s parents will be the support system. Guilli, C. (2008) stated “she believes that as older women are gaining acceptance as new mothers, adolescent girls are claiming their maternal rights too” (pg.41). According to Stephanie J. Ventura, head of the reproductive statistic branch at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Between 1991 and 2005, the United States saw a 34 percent decrease in birth rates among those aged 15 to 19. But in 2006, that relatively steady decline was reversed. Suddenly, among 15- to 17- year-olds, the rate was up to three percent to 22 babies per 1,000 females, and 18- and 19-year-olds jumped four percent to 73 births for every 1,000 (pg. 42).
Yet, no one can nail down the reason why all the teen pregnancy rates are increasing. Some say with the abundance of media influence having a baby has become socially acceptable. Now that pop media has been established as an effect toward teen pregnancy, let’s critique the two articles.
Both articles presented common themes in teen mothers. They came to the conclusion that teen’s today think becoming pregnant at such a young age is considered to be socially acceptable in today’s society. Teens from both the scholarly and pop media article think they can take care of themselves and their children with their families support. With more and more young adults staying with their parents even after they have moved from their teens into their twenties, the teen mother expects support, especially from their own mothers. Teen mothers have said they became closer to their mothers after the parent accepted the fact that their child was going to have a baby. The teens also had the expectation that their grandmother, mothers and sisters would assist in raising and watching the child while the teen parent went to school or work. A second topic which both articles had in common was teens today are less likely to have an abortion or give the child up for adoption. Pregnant teens state they are willing to take responsibility for their unborn child however; history shows most teen mothers will not likely finish high school and approximately one percent will pursue a college degree. Previous research also shows teen mothers who are not supported by their families will live in poverty and have little chance of recovering from this economic status.
The varying view points of the authors are what make these articles different. First, the article written by Hila J. Spears interviewed pregnant teens in a controlled environment discussing various social effects pregnant teens experience and how they think their future will be changed after having a baby. The second article written by Cathy M. Gulli, discusses how the media is changing society’s definition of the traditional family. With the creation of television shows which depict teenage boys and girls engaging in premarital sex and pregnancy; today’s cultures idea of teen pregnancy has changed from being a social taboo, to a social norm.
Another difference between the two articles is that the scholarly article interviewed current pregnant teens between 13 to 19 years of age about their “optimism; fighting behavior; separation of pregnancy, parenting, and marriage; and nurturance” (Spear, H. 2001, pg. 574). The results of this research shows that pregnant teens today believe they can fulfill all their motherly responsibility in taking care of a child by ensuring the child is loved, has emotional support and is supported financially. The new mothers are relying on their parents for most of this support such as providing shelter, food, water and clothing. Teen moms also believe the new baby won’t change their personnel or social life but they will always have a baby sitter living with them (i.e. child’s great grandmother, grandmother or the pregnant teen’s sister). In this study the pregnant teens thought this life was them being independent and they were acting as an adult however; most traditional parents can independently care for their child with minimal help from their parents.
Cathy M. Gulli’s article highlights how pregnant celebrities, who participated in premarital sex and pregnancy, are living the life. What the media won’t tell you, is teen celebrities have enough money to independently care for their child as opposed to the normal teen mother who still has to work with little pay because of her lack of education and experience in the job market. This article also illustrates how most pre-teens and teens live in a make believe world in which they believe they should be accepted as adults because the teen mothers on the television are portrayed as such. This phenomenon is also moving into the school system and according to Gulli, C. (2008) “Invariable though, it seems teen pregnancy has become more accepted. A Denver high school is considering implementing a four-week maternity leave for students so they can recover and get used to the baby without penalties for missing class” (pg. 41). Those who have read the two articles are able to see that pregnant teens have the best of intentions before their child is born but they are still children. They are too young to realize that the media’s perceptions of teen pregnancy, and the reality of it, are two different things. First, a summary of a scholarly article was presented showing pregnant teens have the unrealistic view that being a teen mom will not change their lives. Next, a summary of a pop media article was discussed showing how pregnant teens believe they are like their idols in movies and television shows. They believe they will be able to take care of their child even though in reality they will not be able to independently take care of their child and must rely on their parents for financial support. Lastly, a compare and contrast was conducted of the two articles. The average reader can comprehend the rise in teen pregnancy is a major social concern for every American and can also understand the traditional family concept must not be changed to allow teenage pregnancy to become a social norm. References
Gulli, C. (2008). Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story). Maclean 's, 121(3),
40-44.

Spear, H. J. (2001). Teenage pregnancy: "having a baby won 't affect me that much".
Pediatric Nursing, 27(6), 574-580. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199433014?accountid=8289

References: Gulli, C. (2008). Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story). Maclean 's, 121(3), 40-44. Spear, H. J. (2001). Teenage pregnancy: "having a baby won 't affect me that much". Pediatric Nursing, 27(6), 574-580. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199433014?accountid=8289