Teen Pregnancy

By: Rachel Stansberry

No teenaged girl assumes it will be her who ends up with that positive test. It's unimaginable and scary because it is something that has such negative connotation around it. It is hard to know if you are ready to raise a child, when you are still a child yourself. Though, I can not say I am personally a teen mom I do happen to be very close with one. I will remember the fear in my best friends voice when I got the call from her. It was shocking, but I knew as a friend all she needed from me was support. At a time like this I realized that maybe school has taught me how to multiple and divide, but trust me it failed at teaching me what to do next in a situation like this. My friend has showed me how to raise a child, continue in college, and not let this hold her back all at the age of 19. It isn't ideal, but it is possible.

Learning Targets:

Students should be able to identify the number one reason for teenage girls to dropout of school.
Students should be aware of there rights when getting an education as a teen parent.
Students should be able to list the three options a teen will have once they know they are pregnant.

Life in School Once Pregnant:

It is not the most ideal situation to become pregnant as a teen. The fears of going to school and being judged or not even be accepted by your family. The numbers of teenage pregnancies are declining over time, but no matter what people are still being affected by it. It is reported that the number one reason for teenage girls to drop out of school is due to falling pregnant (Mangel, 2010.) It is said that approximately 70% of teen girls who have a child leave school, and if these girls had more support from the teachers in the school they would not have dropped out (Mangel, 2010.)The judgment of people at school questioning the new mother with, "Who is the father?" and "How did the pregnancy go?" can create a lot of stress for this new mom to be. (Yurik, 2016) These new moms or even dads may already be feeling enough judgement from home life, and now school would not even be an escape for them.

How the School Systems Can Help:

Becoming a parent comes with many responsibilities. While wanting to stay in school may be a goal, it can be very hard. The parents will need support from everyone around them or that goal is not going to be met. One article talks about whether or not public schools should offer daycare. While it comes with a list of pros and cons it is definitely an interesting topic to think about.It is also important to know that schools are required to support the teen parents in any way they can. They can not discriminate or turn a child away from getting an education (Williams, 2015.) Teen parents need to be aware of their rights and understand that the education system knows the struggles and should be willing to help.

What to do next:

The 2020 Virginia family life education courses include learning about community relationships, abstinence education, the value of postponing sexual activity, benefits of adoption as a positive if the pregnancy was unwanted, and many other things. (VDOE, 2020) From the list that I read it doesn't seem like the schools really go into how to deal with the pregnancy as to them the options are the adoption or abstinence. While a teen that is pregnant may be scared to reach out to someone in the school, they are still there to help. You can reach out to administration, counseling, teachers, or any other trusted adult within the building. When a teen becomes pregnant it will very much take a toll on physical and mental health. It is so important that teens can find the resources they need to understand how to care for their changing bodies. Whether it be from the use of prenatal vitamins, eating healthy, or attending the doctors appointments are required (Mayo Clinic,2021) Making sure that teen moms and dads are provided with optimal support and care that they will need will help them continue their education.

Reflection and Conclusion:

While becoming a teen parent is not usually something that is planned, it is important to take the proper steps once this news becomes real. During my research my eyes have been opened to what the education system should do in order to support these students. Teens are already under so much pressure and no matter the age you are at, bringing a child into the world will be a challenge. It is so important to remember that these students need unconditional support and care from those around them.They need to feel heard and valued just like every other kid in the classroom. Schools need to set up programs and take action in order to better help these teens that bring another life to this world earlier than even they may have planned for.

Quiz Time!!!

Question 1: What is the #1 reason for teen aged girls to dropout of school?

A.) Alchohol Addiction

B.) Drug Use

C.) Partying to Hard

D.) Teen Pregnancy

Question 2: If Izzy gets pregnant and does not want to keep the baby after birth, but does not want to abort the baby. What would be the best option for Izzy?

A.) Abortion

B.) Adaption

C.) Giving the baby to someone on the side of the road

D.) Keeping the baby

References

Education, V. D. of. (2021). Family life education. VDOE :: Family Life Education. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/family_life_education/index.shtml.

Mangel, L. (2010, October 25). Teen pregnancy, discrimination, and the dropout rate ... ACLU Washington. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://aclu-wa.org/blog/teen-pregnancy-discrimination-and-dropout-rate.

Staff, M. C. (2021, April 16). Help your teen cope with pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-pregnancy/art-20048124.

Williams, J. (2015, May). Shift NC. Resources for young parents. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.shiftnc.org/resources/for-young-parents.

Yurik, A. M. (2016, March 11). Teenage pregnancy faces judgment, proves challenging. The Oracle. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://theoracle.glenbrook225.org/features/2016/03/11/teenage-pregnancy-faces-judgment-proves-challenging/.

Answer Key:

#1- C

#2- A

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