Teenage pregnancy comes with several hazards; some youths are more vulnerable than others. Socioeconomic position, teens’ surroundings, their family, and the number of resources accessible epitomize some of the teenage pregnancy causation. Teen pregnancies are more common in communities with social segregation, regions with poor education and poverty, and communities with few resources for encouraging adolescent involvement in rural districts than in urban centers and metropolitan counties (Miriti & Mutua, 2019). Besides, teenage pregnancy is more likely among adolescents in child welfare institutions like foster care (Miriti & Mutua, 2019). Generally, the social-economic factors of teenagers contribute a bigger proportion in causing their pregnancy.
Numerous organizations have been established to address the social factors of teen pregnancy and decrease inequities. Some groups have been established in California to assist with teen pregnancies. The California Department of Public Health’s Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP) is one such initiative. By addressing the potential health, social, financial, and academic difficulties they may encounter, this program offers case management services to pregnant and parenting youths and their kids. The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Program is a different initiative from the State of California Department of Public Health (Pot, 2019). Teens, men, women, and their households are supported by this program at high schools and in community initiatives.
Based on the California Department of Public Health, adolescent birth rates have fallen in California during the previous ten years. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy spokesman, Bill Albert, opined that there are three key reasons why teen birth rates have decreased. The MTV programs such as ‘Pregnant Teen’ and the ‘Mom at 16′ are among the first to depict pregnant teenagers’ difficulties and daily life. The second category consists of low-maintenance birth control methods that have expanded sevenfold, like IUDs and implant forms. Peer pressure, which includes engaging in unsafe sex or becoming pregnant, is the third factor (Miriti & Mutua, 2019). Another is sex education provided by initiatives like the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.
Inconclusively, teenage pregnancy has been prevalent among youths due to varying factors. Some aspects that expose unwanted teenage pregnancies include poverty, illiteracy, and lack of essential resources. While in other states, teenage pregnancies may be soaring, in California, the trend has shown a recession for the past ten years. This success in reducing the number of pregnancies is attributable to the policies and measures the state has taken to improve people’s living conditions. Additionally, the state conducts reproductive health to enhance safe sex practices.
References
Miriti, J. M., & Mutua, M. N. (2019). Teenage pregnancies and girls education capabilities in California: School And Community Perspective. International Journal of Gender Studies, 4(1), 59-84.
Pot, H. (2019). INGO behavior change projects: culturalism and teenage pregnancies in Malawi. Medical anthropology, 38(4), 327-341.