Abstract
The purpose of this review was to determine the main reasons for early marriages and teenage pregnancy. The material researched provided the most important grounds of adolescents’ early childbirth. With the help of this research, one can examine the consequences of unexpected teenage pregnancy.
Introduction
Young adult marriages are not uncommon in the modern world. Teenagers also get involved in sex and invite unplanned or unexpected pregnancies. Youngsters look forward to marriage before they are mentally and physically prepared for it. This brings about disastrous consequences like teenage marriage failure, divorce, and dissatisfaction in sex life. The young couples do not get any support from society. They are an exception in society and are devoid of any help. Teenage marriage is a big challenge to modern society. Teens do not have the right approach to marriage. They are not settled in their lives and are not able to bear the responsibility of a child. Most of the adolescents who plan for marriage are unaware of the seriousness and importance of marriage (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
Literature Review
The sex life of teen couples also turns out to be a big failure. They are also not mature or educated enough to bear the financial responsibilities of a family. They are not strong enough for parenthood and are also not able to fulfill their marital responsibilities. Many of the married teenagers are not even privileged to sign for the most basic facilities like car purchasing and renting. In most countries, teenagers do not acquire adult status even though they are married. Married teenagers also do miss their educational opportunities, as married people are not given admission to certain educational institutions like public schools. Married teenagers are not even able to afford insurance, as they do not have a good job and other financial assistance (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
Youngsters must reach at least a maturity stage of 25 years to understand the importance of marriage and having children. Young people below 21 years do not know the disastrous consequence of early sex and childbirth. Early marriage and sex destroy their life and career. Youngsters below 21 years are also psychologically vulnerable that they may indulge in sex without any afterthought (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
The youngsters really do not know why there are asked to abstain from sex. It is always better to avoid teenage marriages as it ends up various problems in the life of the family life and personal life (Jeanne Warren, 1995). It would be best to wait until the couple attains the adult status before entering into family life. Teenagers never understand the matter that marriage is a lifetime commitment (Jeanne Warren, 1995). Marriage means that everything is shared (Jeanne Warren, 1995). And it is the name of trust, loyalty, helpfulness, kindness, acceptance, and support. But teenagers do not agree with these, so finally, they get divorced (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
Abortion is also justified in the unfortunate event of teenage marriage and pregnancy. Abortion had become a highly controversial topic these days. Abortion is not legally permitted in many countries because of ethical reasons. According to religious ideologies, abortion is considered equivalent to murder. Abortion is therefore banned in many countries. However, governments in certain countries support abortion. The supporters of abortion argue that abortion should be allowed in order to prevent children from being abused or being orphans (Jeanne Warren, 1995). This is because it is found that Children are more likely to be abused in cases where the pregnancy was unplanned. Abortion is the only solution for an unexpected pregnancy. If these children are allowed to be born they will not be properly welcomed into their families.
Parents who are not happy with this childbirth would find the child a nuisance for them. Parents abuse such children (Jeanne Warren, 1995). Abortion is the only solution for teenage pregnancy also. Teenage girls in the case of accidental pregnancy opt for abortion, as childbirth at an early age would collapse their life and future. Abortion is perfectly justified in all these cases. Teenage girls approach doctors regarding the issue of pre-marriage pregnancy and abortion. Let us take one of the abortion cases. Consider the case of a teenage girl who became pregnant (Jeanne Warren, 1995). No value or belief system would save this girl from her problem. Abortion is the best option for her. The helplessness, future, and safety of the girl justify abortion. Here it is important to focus on the issue rather than focusing on the beliefs of the girl or the beliefs of society. It is important to bring out the girl from the issue, no matter whether all the ways for that are universally acceptable. How much help would be abortion for this girl? Abortion is found to be a good solution for teenage pregnancy (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
Method
A kind of interrogation was carried out among the adolescents of a small college. This questioning was devoted to the grade of responsibility the students can bear at their age. The problems were mentioned from the small and insignificant up to forming a family and childbirth. The participants had enough time to think over their answers and make clear and deliberate statements.
Results
According to the following research, only about 15 percent of students consider that they are ready to reject their way of life in order to live together with their significant other. The majority of questioned adolescents (about 75 percent) answered that they are not ready for any responsibility; they understand their position, like their independence, and do not want to bear responsibility for bringing up children until feeling it and being confident for their future.
Discussion
The questioning proved that most cases of teenage pregnancy are unexpected and are not desirable. Most marriages are caused by unconsciousness and lead to serious consequences and changes in life. These facts are proved by different psychological sources and studied by many social researchers.
The negative consequences of teen marriage are really many. Lack of adequate financial support is the main problem. Financial deprivation can create problems that can destroy otherwise happy family life. Young couples would not be in a position to cover the expenses as a family. Another problem associated with teen marriage is the lack of personal maturity of the couples. Even though immature and irresponsible actions do not appear to be serious before marriage, they will make big problems once people enter the marriage bond. Lack of seriousness and responsibility creates problems among young couples. According to “Teenage Couples: Caring, Change, and Commitment”, by Jeanne Warren Lindsay: more than 60% of teenage marriages fail within 5 years (Jeanne Warren, 1995).
According to a survey 50-60% of teen marriages will end in divorce (Jeanne Warren, 1995). According to the studies on teen marriage “teens are making life-changing decisions with the wrong portion of their brains (Jeanne Warren, 1995). Teenagers brains are not broken; they’re just still under construction (Jeanne Warren, 1995).” So teen marriage will end in divorce (Jeanne Warren, 1995). Eleanor H. Ayer’s writes in her book, Teen Marriage, that: “A girl married at 17 is twice as likely to be divorced as a girl 18 or 19. If a girl waits until she is 25 the chances that her marriage will last are 4 times better. (Ayer, 1990). Saying “No” to your partner as a teenager does not mean saying “No” forever. Why start out with the odds against you?” (Ayer, 1990).
As a way of summarizing the research carried out one should underline the following: adolescents are full of enthusiasm and desire to become responsible adults; but they do not have enough life experience to make so important steps as marriages and childbirth as it can result in ruined families and unhappy children’s destiny. Adults should try to help them in understanding this problem in order to avoid life mistakes and early disappointment.
References
Lindsay, Jeanne Warren. Caring, Commitment and Change. Morning Glory Press, Inc., 1995.
Lindsay, Jeanne Warren. Coping With Reality. Morning Glory Press, Inc., 1995.
Ayer, Eleanor H. Teen Marriage. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 1990.
Lindsay, Jeanne Warren. Expectations and Reality. Morning Glory Press, Inc., 1996.
Archard, D. (1993) Children, Rights and Childhood, London: Routledge.
Brooks, L. (2006) The Story of Childhood, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
Franklin, B. (1995) (ed) Handbook of Children’s Rights: Comparative Policy and Practice, London: Routledge.
Freeman, M. (1996) (ed) Children’s Rights: A Comparative Perspective, Dartmouth.
Vittachi, A. (1989) Stolen Childhood: In Search of the Rights of the Child, Cambridge: Polity.
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