Adolescent
pregnancy, also known as a premarital pregnancy, is defined as a pregnancy that
occurs to girls who have not reached the legal adulthood age which varies
across the globe. It is caused by endless
psychological and socioeconomic factors such as poor peer relationships, poor parental supervision, as well as physical
and sexual abuse. In an effort to prevent
and reduce adolescent pregnancy which has become
a major issue in today's society, various research has been conducted by
different scholars to find the factors influencing the dilemma. As a result,
this paper provides a review of the literature on the causes of teen pregnancy
and debate on whether it is a function of psychological issues stemming from
early childhood or a function of
socioeconomic factors in the present. Therefore, teenage pregnancy is a
function of psychological factors stemming from early childhood which include
family history or parental continuum, media influence as well as physical and
sexual abuse that highlights gender roles and power imbalance.
Research Question
Is teen pregnancy
a function of psychological issues stemming from early childhood, or a function
of socioeconomic factors in the present? This research question is significant
to the topic of study because it takes an argumentative writing approach. As a
result, the research question will enable to analyze, organize, and connect the
findings of the investigation to make a specific position regarding the problem
of the study by combining precise elements of both sides of the argument.
How Does the Topic Hold Value in Society?
Your Field? Is it Controversial?
Teenage pregnancy
is seen as a controversial topic in this nation and across the world, and more
often than not viewed as a societal problem. The way in which the topic of adolescent pregnancy holds value in
the field of psychology is that many psychologists have argued that adolescent pregnancy can be linked to psychological issues stemming from
the teen mother or teen father’s early childhood. Psychologists have claimed
that when there is a deprivation of parental support in a child’s first years,
the dependency needs during the adolescent years become more severe (Hamburg,
2017). This is because they are combined
with the dependency needs from a much earlier time, as these have still not
been satisfied.
Descriptively,
what happens psychologically to the teenager here is that they are susceptible
to playing out those needs in their behavior, which sometimes has the effect of
giving the misconception of adult behavior. Becoming pregnant or sexual
intercourse, for example, are opportunities for the teenager to engage in what
seems like adult behavior, and this is an opportunity to be gratified in their
dependency on closeness and caring that was not provided to them as a young
child (Hamburg, 2017). Unprotected sex further intensifies the gratifying of
this need fulfillment from the perspective of the teenager. Pregnancy aligns
the adolescent with adults even more so, since it is an action and a decision
to have a child. Whereas sex independent of pregnancy could still be seen as
merely “acting” like an adult, which would not be as need-fulfilling for the
teenager who is psychologically depraved.
What About this Topic Makes You Want to
Learn More About It? (I.e., What Answers are You Looking For? What are You Curious
About?)
I
am fascinated by the psychological implications of teenage pregnancy, and I am
curious about how socioeconomic factors and other variables play into teenage
pregnancy. Some of the answers I want to glean from an investigation of this
topic have to do with the psychological state of the teenager in the now (i.e.,
during the time of pregnancy) as compared to the psychological state that has
been inferred about their childhood. What do teenage parents think of their
status, and how does this affect them psychologically? What do the parents of
the affected teenagers’ think of the situation, and how does this affect them
psychologically, as well as how does the issue affect their daughter/son
psychologically?
In reference to
the previous paragraph, I am interested in investigating the parental continuum
as it relates to teen pregnancy and psychology. For instance, how have the
relationships between generations contributed to teen pregnancy? Are teen
parents more or less likely to have children who will themselves become teen
parents? What is likely to be the psychological makeup of the children of teen
parents, and at what age have they become aware or are they affected by the
notion of having such young parents? In the right context, I am interested in
the psychological makeup of all players involved in the teen parenting scenario,
across multiple generations for comprehensive analysis.
Is there Sufficient Research on Both Sides
of the Argument for You to Prove Your Position as Related to Three Major Points
(AKA the Thesis?)
There is
significant research on teen pregnancy and teen parenting as it relates to
psychology because of the magnitude of importance that this ‘societal issue’
has garnered in recent years. As the United States and other nations have
investigated ways to diminish teen pregnancy, many psychologists have offered
studies that open up possible solutions. Some of these same studies reveal the
influence of socioeconomic factors on teen pregnancy such as dating at an early
age and pressure from peers to have sex (Bocar & Biong, 2016). These
investigations will be essential in determining the best position with three
major factors that build a strong and reliable thesis of the research.
However, my
challenge will be to narrow down all elements of teen pregnancy psychological
literature into three major points. Notably, this is a good problem to have
given the fact which is possible that other topics and subsequent questions
would not have enough similar research to support an investigation. I will look
to consult researches that have been done in the past ten years, as I have
reason to believe that much older sources have become outdated as discoveries
have been made. Additionally, society has changed, and the roles that
adolescents and parents play in society have evolved. I want to present my
investigation in a modern lens, in the context of the 21st century,
because any findings will have to be applied to the future, to a much later era
in this current century that can facilitate preventive recommendations.
Literature Review
Since the problem
under study revolves around teen pregnancy, it is essential to identify and
investigate psychological issues, especially those that stem from early
childhood. By doing so, this section will review the psychological factors that
are likely to be the function of teenage pregnancy. In an effort to provide a
detailed evaluation, the investigation will focus on parental continuum or
family history in relation to the teenage pregnancy by answering the questions
such as how has the relationships between generations contributed to teen
pregnancy? Additionally, the influence of the media and the abuse of the girl
child will also be the attention of the review.
Summary of Key Research
Various studies
have identified psychological factors that influence the rate of teenage
pregnancy which include an investigation on the relationship between family
history of teenage births and adolescent pregnancy (East & Felice, 2014).
These factors include family history conducted by (East & Felice, 2014) and
parental continuum (Acharya, Bhattarai, Poobalan, Teijlingen, & Chapman,
2014). Also, an investigation on the influence of the media as identified by (Parkes,
Wight, Hunt, Henderson, & Sargent, 2013), as well as physical abuse
(Harner, 2016) and sexual abuse (Madigan, Wade, Tarabulsy, Jenkins, &
Shouldice, 2014), were found to strongly associate with teenage pregnancy. A detailed
evaluation of the above-mentioned factors will support the research and its
application to the thesis of the study.
Research Evaluation
Family History
The findings of
the study show that ethnicity and race strongly correlated with a family
history of teenage births, and age was significantly associated with pregnancy
(East & Felice, 2014). In the right context, a family that had a history of
teenage births was associated with higher odds of adolescent pregnancy compared
to those that had no family history of teenage pregnancy. Most importantly, the
research study concluded that having a mother or a sister who was a victim of
teenage birth has a positive relationship with adolescent pregnancy (East &
Felice, 2014).
On the other hand,
only a regular companionship with a different sibling was significantly related
to adolescent pregnancy. Also, rivalry among the siblings in a family with a
history of teenage births was associated with the risk of teenage pregnancy but
with a lower margin (East & Felice, 2014). Therefore, the investigation
implies that teenage pregnancy is strongly correlated with a family that has a
history of adolescent pregnancy.
Moreover, the
parenting attitude and mother-adolescent communication are significantly
affected as a result of the first teenage pregnancy in the family (Acharya et
al., 2014). For instance, younger siblings are permanently exposed to early
parenthood making teenage pregnancy acceptable in the family. As a result,
mothers of teenage parents would fail to monitor the achievements of other
children making them vulnerable to sexual behavior. Going forward, the poor
communication and less monitoring increases and creates a prime context for the
acceptance of teenage sexuality, and siblings in such families are likely to
follow their footsteps as teen parents (Arceo-Gomez & Campos-Vazquez,
2014).
Influence of the Media
The media is on
the frontline of promoting sex through the use of sexual comments and themes,
instead of educating teenagers about the uses of contraceptives (Parkes et al.,
2013). The society is hypocritical because statistics show that teenagers spend
more than 50 hours each week watching television and listening to radios
(Parkes et al., 2013). In particular, television programs such as soap operas
are likely to show scenes that have sexual themes which can be exposed to the
young audience. On the other hand, radios play various songs that contain the
message related sexual themes which are significantly associated with teenage
pregnancy (Parkes et al., 2013).
Undeniably,
through the influence of the media, young audience can learn the feelings of
sex without the knowledge of the associated risks. The society has failed by
allowing the media to promote sex without upholding the uses of contraceptives
or preventive measures. As a result, teenagers have the perfect knowledge of
sex without any concept on how to avoid pregnancy and protect themselves from
sexual behavior (Parkes et al., 2013).
Physical and Sexual Abuse
A study on the
relationship between childhood sexual and physical abuse and teenage pregnancy
shows that teenagers who experience abuse feel that they have no control over
their bodies, actions, and environment (Harner, 2016). And so, the ego
formation process among the neglected adolescents becomes affected leading to
identity confusion (Harner, 2016). The idea implies that such teenagers fail to
have control over their sexuality which is likely to increase the chances of
adolescent pregnancy. To prevent pregnancy at an earlier age, the society is
encouraged to prevent the abuse in order to enhance healthy growth of the girl
child during the developmental stage of adolescence.
Furthermore,
an integrative research review on the impact of childhood sexual abuse and
teenage pregnancy suggested that the mistreatment can result in early sexual
behavior which is a function of teenage pregnancy (Madigan et al., 2014).
Descriptively, sexual abuse is likely to expose teenagers to various factors
that can result in pregnancy. For instance, substance abuse, mental torture
which leads to identity confusion, as well as family conflict may result in
teenage pregnancy (Madigan et al., 2014).
Analysis and Synthesis
Therefore, it is
evident that families with a history of teenage births are significantly
associated with adolescents’ pregnancy. It is because of the affected
mother-adolescent communication, early exposure of the siblings to parenthood,
and the acceptance of teenage pregnancy in the family. Additionally, physical
and sexual abuse affects the developmental stage of adolescence making
teenagers unable to control themselves over sexual activities resulting in early
pregnancy. The influence of the media has strongly correlated with the problem
of teen pregnancy in terms of exposing the concept of sex without promoting the
uses of preventive measures as we as risk factors.
Review of Socioeconomic Factors
Description and Summary of Key Research
On the other hand,
prior studies have acknowledged different socioeconomic factors that are the
function of teenage pregnancy. These factors include education, religion,
income/occupation, culture/ethnicity among others (Quon, & McGrath, 2014),
as well as community and family level socioeconomic status (Penman-Aguilar, Carter,
Snead, & Kourtis 2013). These studies provide an analysis that demonstrates
insightful and critical thinking regarding teenage pregnancy.
Evaluation
Socioeconomic
factors can be defined as realities and experiences that help improve the
attitudes, personalities, and the lifestyle of an individual. And so, teenage
pregnancy can be associated with socioeconomic issues in various indicators
such as the disintegration of communal life, inadequate information on the use
of contraceptives, lack of sex education among others. Penman-Aguilar et al. (2013)
reviewed the literature on how socioeconomic factors influence teen
childbearing. Their research analyzed both community and family-level
socioeconomic influences on teenage pregnancy. The findings of the study
reported that various variables had a positive association with teenage
pregnancy. These factors include low education levels, low income, underemployment,
neighborhood disadvantage, and income inequality (Penman- Penman et al., 2013).
Notably, the review shows that the sexual health behaviors among the
adolescents are affected by the unfavorable socioeconomic issues at the
community and family levels (Penman- Penman et al., 2013).
Additionally,
Quon and McGrath (2014) examined the ways in which socioeconomic status
influences teenage pregnancy. The study investigated factors such as the
exposure to sexual intercourse, contraceptives behavior, the living arrangement
as well as mother's level of education. The findings indicate that highly
experienced adolescents are likely to experience the incidence of premarital
pregnancy. However, among different ethnic groups, for instance, black teens in
a single-parent family are less likely to be exposed to sexual activities
which, in turn, reduces the rate of premarital pregnancy (Quon & McGrath,
2014).
Analysis, Synthesis, and Conclusion
Integrating
concepts analyzed from socioeconomic factors as the function of teenage
pregnancy, it is worth pointing out that a high number of adolescents are
likely to engage in sexual activities and, in turn, contribute to teenage
pregnancy. Besides, the level of education of adolescents' parents is a
powerful inhibitor of premarital pregnancy regardless of race and ethnicity.
Therefore, from the above analysis, it is evident that teenage pregnancy is a
function of psychological factors stemming from early childhood. It is because
most of the socioeconomic factors fall under the shadow of psychological
factors that have a greater influence on the rate of teenage pregnancy. As a
result, psychological recommendations are essential to reduce the rate of
pregnancy among adolescents.
References
Acharya,
D. R., Bhattarai, R., Poobalan, A., Teijlingen, V. E., & Chapman, G.
(2014). Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in South Asia. Health Science Journal.
Arceo-Gomez,
E. O., & Campos-Vazquez, R. M. (2014). Teenage Pregnancy in Mexico:
Evolution and Consequences. Latin American Journal of Economics, 51(1),
109-146.
Bocar,
A. C., & Biong, C. (2016). Factors that Induce Premarital Sexual
Intercourse among Adolescents: Reasons that Lead to Teenage Pregnancy. Mindanao State University Press.
East,
P. L., & Felice, M. E. (2014). Adolescent pregnancy and parenting:
Findings from a racially diverse sample. Psychology Press.
Hamburg,
B. A. (2017). Subsets of adolescent mothers: Developmental, biomedical, and
psychosocial issues. In School-Age Pregnancy and Parenthood (pp.
115-146). Routledge.
Harner,
H. M. (2016). Childhood sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, and partnering with
adult men: exploring the relationship. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing
and Mental Health Services, 43(8), 20-28.
Madigan,
S., Wade, M., Tarabulsy, G., Jenkins, J. M., & Shouldice, M. (2014).
Association between abuse history and adolescent pregnancy: a
meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(2),
151-159.
Parkes,
A., Wight, D., Hunt, K., Henderson, M., & Sargent, J. (2013). Are sexual
media exposure, parental restrictions on media use and co-viewing TV and DVDs
with parents and friends associated with teenagers' early sexual
behavior? Journal of Adolescence, 36(6), 1121-1133
Penman-Aguilar,
A., Carter, M., Snead, M. C., & Kourtis, A. P. (2013). Socioeconomic
disadvantage as a social determinant of teen childbearing in the US. Public
Health Reports, 128(2_suppl1), 5-22.
Quon,
E. C., & McGrath, J. J. (2014). Subjective socioeconomic status and
adolescent health: a meta-analysis. Health Psychology, 33(5),
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