| The teenage years can be particularly trying for | | | | Babies born from teenage pregnancies are at risk for |
| parents, as children become aware of their sexuality | | | | the following reasons: |
| for the first time in their lives. Raging hormones and a | | | | • Babies born to teenage mothers invariably |
| newfound sense of independence may induce teens | | | | have low birth weights and suffer health problems. |
| to act in ways that are irresponsible. The worst | | | | • Studies show that babies of teen mothers |
| repercussion of this could be a teenage pregnancy. | | | | receive less care and medical treatment. |
| Here are some facts about teenage pregnancy: | | | | • Babies of teen parents also suffer from |
| • There are estimated to be around 750,000 | | | | inadequate parenting. Studies show that children of |
| teenage pregnancies in the U.S. per year. | | | | teen mothers generally do badly in school. |
| • Teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. are | | | | As a dad, there are things you can do to guard |
| amongst the highest in the developed world-higher | | | | against teenage pregnancy: |
| than in other countries such as Great Britain, France, or | | | | • Talk. Uncomfortable as it may initially be, talk |
| Germany. | | | | to your teen about safe sex. |
| • A study estimates that up to 31% of | | | | • Teach. Help your child to develop a healthy |
| teenage girls become pregnant before they reach the | | | | attitude toward sex. |
| age of 20. | | | | • Supervise. Always allow your child to have |
| Teenage pregnancies harm the mother in the following | | | | healthy interactions with the opposite sex. At the same |
| ways: | | | | time, experts recommend that you discourage single |
| • Teenage mothers suffer from poor weight | | | | dating, or 'going steady', until your child is at least 16 |
| gain, hypertension, anemia, and sexually transmitted | | | | years old. |
| diseases (STDs). Guilt, anxiety, and depression also | | | | • Protect. Ensure that your teen stays away |
| commonly affect them. | | | | from drugs or alcohol. |
| • Most teenage mothers often drop out of | | | | • Encourage. Cultivate frankness in your |
| school or college early. | | | | children and encourage them to talk with you about all |
| • Studies show a strong link between | | | | their problems. |
| teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, and poverty. | | | | |