·
Societal
beliefs system: In some
societies, early marriage and traditional gender roles are important factors in the rate of teenage pregnancy. For example, in
some sub-Saharan African countries, early pregnancy is often seen as a blessing
because it is proof of the young woman’s fertility. The average marriage age
differs by country, and countries where teenage marriages are common experience
higher levels of teenage pregnancies (Locoh, 2009).
Societal
beliefs system: In some
societies, early marriage and traditional gender roles are important factors in the rate of teenage pregnancy. For example, in
some sub-Saharan African countries, early pregnancy is often seen as a blessing
because it is proof of the young woman’s fertility. The average marriage age
differs by country, and countries where teenage marriages are common experience
higher levels of teenage pregnancies (Locoh, 2009).
·
Sexuality: In most countries, most men experience sexual
intercourse for the first time before their 20th birthdays. Men in Western
developed countries have sex for the first time sooner than in undeveloped and
culturally conservative countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa and much of Asia (Locoh, 2009).
Sexuality: In most countries, most men experience sexual
intercourse for the first time before their 20th birthdays. Men in Western
developed countries have sex for the first time sooner than in undeveloped and
culturally conservative countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa and much of Asia (Locoh, 2009).
·
Drug
and alcohol use: Inhibition-reducing
drugs and alcohol may possibly encourage unintended sexual
activity. The drugs with the strongest
evidence linking them to teenage pregnancy are alcohol, cannabis, and other substituted
amphetamines (Locoh, 2009).
Drug
and alcohol use: Inhibition-reducing
drugs and alcohol may possibly encourage unintended sexual
activity. The drugs with the strongest
evidence linking them to teenage pregnancy are alcohol, cannabis, and other substituted
amphetamines (Locoh, 2009).
·
Lack
of contraception: Adolescents
may lack knowledge of, or access to, conventional methods of preventing
pregnancy, as they may be too embarrassed or frightened to seek such
information. They are heavily influenced by negative, second-hand stories about
methods of contraception from their friends and the media. These women gave
three main reasons for not using contraceptives: trouble obtaining birth
control (the most frequent reason), lack of intention to have sex, and the
misconception that they “could not get pregnant.” (Locoh, 2009). In
other cases, contraception is used, but proves to be inadequate. Inexperienced
adolescents may use condoms incorrectly, forget to take oral
contraceptives, or fail
to use the contraceptives they had previously chosen (Locoh,
2009).
Lack
of contraception: Adolescents
may lack knowledge of, or access to, conventional methods of preventing
pregnancy, as they may be too embarrassed or frightened to seek such
information. They are heavily influenced by negative, second-hand stories about
methods of contraception from their friends and the media. These women gave
three main reasons for not using contraceptives: trouble obtaining birth
control (the most frequent reason), lack of intention to have sex, and the
misconception that they “could not get pregnant.” (Locoh, 2009). In
other cases, contraception is used, but proves to be inadequate. Inexperienced
adolescents may use condoms incorrectly, forget to take oral
contraceptives, or fail
to use the contraceptives they had previously chosen (Locoh,
2009).
·
Age
discrepancy in relationships: Age discrepancy between the teenage girls and the men who impregnate
them is an important contributing factor. Teenage girls in relationships with
older boys, and in particular with adult men, are more likely to become
pregnant than teenage girls in relationships with boys their own age. They are
also more likely to carry the baby to term rather than have an abortion (Locoh, 2009).
Age
discrepancy in relationships: Age discrepancy between the teenage girls and the men who impregnate
them is an important contributing factor. Teenage girls in relationships with
older boys, and in particular with adult men, are more likely to become
pregnant than teenage girls in relationships with boys their own age. They are
also more likely to carry the baby to term rather than have an abortion (Locoh, 2009).
·
Sexual
abuse: Studies revealed that
11–20% of pregnancies in teenagers are a direct result of rape, while about 60%
of teenage mothers had unwanted sexual experiences preceding their pregnancy.
Before age 15, a majority of first-intercourse experiences among females are
reported to be non-voluntary; 60% of girls who had sex before age 15 were
coerced by males who on average were six years their senior. One in five
teenage fathers admitted to forcing girls to have sex with them. Multiple
studies have indicated a strong link between early childhood sexual abuse and
subsequent teenage pregnancy in industrialized countries. Up to 70% of women
who gave birth in their teens were molested as young girls (Locoh, 2009).
Sexual
abuse: Studies revealed that
11–20% of pregnancies in teenagers are a direct result of rape, while about 60%
of teenage mothers had unwanted sexual experiences preceding their pregnancy.
Before age 15, a majority of first-intercourse experiences among females are
reported to be non-voluntary; 60% of girls who had sex before age 15 were
coerced by males who on average were six years their senior. One in five
teenage fathers admitted to forcing girls to have sex with them. Multiple
studies have indicated a strong link between early childhood sexual abuse and
subsequent teenage pregnancy in industrialized countries. Up to 70% of women
who gave birth in their teens were molested as young girls (Locoh, 2009).
·
Dating
violence: Studies have
indicated that adolescent girls are often in abusive relationships at the time
of their conceiving. They have also reported that knowledge of their pregnancy
has often intensified violent and controlling behaviours on part of their
boyfriends. There have been reports that
most teenage pregnancy resulted from cases of boyfriends’ attempt to sabotage
their efforts to use birth control (Locoh, 2009).
Dating
violence: Studies have
indicated that adolescent girls are often in abusive relationships at the time
of their conceiving. They have also reported that knowledge of their pregnancy
has often intensified violent and controlling behaviours on part of their
boyfriends. There have been reports that
most teenage pregnancy resulted from cases of boyfriends’ attempt to sabotage
their efforts to use birth control (Locoh, 2009).
·
Childhood
environment: Women
exposed to abuse, domestic violence, and family strife in childhood are more likely to become pregnant as
teenagers, and the risk of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the
number of adverse childhood experiences. Studies have also found that girls
whose fathers left the family early in their lives had the highest rates of
early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. A girl is also more likely to
become a teenage parent if her mother or older sister gave birth in her teens.
Other studies attributed the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy to a breakdown
of communication between parents and child and also to inadequate parental supervision (Locoh, 2009).
Childhood
environment: Women
exposed to abuse, domestic violence, and family strife in childhood are more likely to become pregnant as
teenagers, and the risk of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the
number of adverse childhood experiences. Studies have also found that girls
whose fathers left the family early in their lives had the highest rates of
early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. A girl is also more likely to
become a teenage parent if her mother or older sister gave birth in her teens.
Other studies attributed the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy to a breakdown
of communication between parents and child and also to inadequate parental supervision (Locoh, 2009).
· Media influence: A study conducted in 2006 found that adolescents who were more exposed
to sexuality in the media were also more likely to engage in sexual activity
themselves. Teens exposed to the most sexual content on television are twice as
likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they
reach age 20 (Locoh, 2009).
to sexuality in the media were also more likely to engage in sexual activity
themselves. Teens exposed to the most sexual content on television are twice as
likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they
reach age 20 (Locoh, 2009).
