The Possible Effects of Teen Pregnancies by NYC Robert

Last week I read “Real talk: Let’s Talk About Teen Sex” by Demetria L. Lucas. After reading I thought about how teen pregnancy can lead to problems in other aspects of life. It really isn't rocket science as to how I puzzled these factors together. They include health risks such as obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle, which is soon to be the number one killer. There are also behavioral factors, among others, but for now I’ll leave it general; mainly because I don't want to make this too long. So, if you’re asking how teen pregnancy can effect those things, here’s how. 

 Teen pregnancy is a booming issue and is currently spreading like a virus. Each year more and more schools report how many teens are pregnant; and compared to a decade ago, those reports have drastically taken a turn towards the negative. In comparison, risk factors associated with teen pregnancies have also taken the same negative turn. You may be asking “why?”  My answer is the lack of education many of those teen parents have. Not all teen parents turn out uneducated, but many of them do. Is it their fault? In a way yes, but I wouldn’t put all the blame on them. Teens will be teens. Some don’t have parental support, and as a result they have to work very long hours just to make ends meet. Another huge problem is the lack of support from fathers.  A "fatherly figure" is very important in a child’s life, especially for a boy. Why? They help boys mature and grow into respectable men (also keep in mind that a “fatherly figure” isn’t the father that guides their son, or daughter down the wrong path). In addition, there are many teen moms who are unfit to raise children of their own. Not only do they lack a good education, they also lack the essential parenting skills needed to raise well-functioning children. A major issue they face as a parent is distinguishing the "parent-child relationship." Many teen moms can’t accept the fact that they have to mature so quickly in such a short matter of time. They have to change, or distinguish their behavior around their child, which many don’t.

"How should I act, when I still want to be young?"  That’s a question many teen parents ask themselves. Don’t get me wrong. No parent wants the worst for their child. At the very least, almost every parent tries their best to provide and teach their child life lessons, as best they can. My question is how can they teach their son or daughter about life, when they themselves don’t know much? Although there isn’t a book on life, good parents will already have adequate material to write such a book once they have given birth. Some things that a lot of teen parents can’t teach their son or daughter about is choosing proper foods to eat, engaging in more activities then being sedentary, avoiding sex as best they can, and how to behave in certain situations that can get the best of them. But of course there are many adults that can’t answer any of those questions either. They may have better ideas about handling those issues. But a teenager is less likely to worry about overeating, chilling on a sofa all day, controlling their emotions, and the effects of sex and drugs without proper parental guidance.  

Childhood obesity is sadly becoming the norm, but with the “Let's Move” campaign by Michelle Obama the government hopes to lower that rate. I’m sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, but that isn’t going to work. If I were to show you the statistics on how many children and teenagers are overweight you’d be astonished. Let’s face it; children just don’t want to move and honestly is it not their fault. Society portrays moving as hindrance on efficiency. Everyday there’s a new gadget that requires less physical movement. Maybe soon you won’t even have to move. All you'll need to do is think it and it will happen. In addition, some schools have even cut physical and health education just to save money, and others are considering that too. The bar for the "Let's Move" campaign to be successful has been set very high, but I have a different way to tackle this situation. What I think will work is educating those students on issues that are affecting them, but making it mandatory and insightful. Not lame and boring. I'm not sure about you, but my health class back in the day was as dry as dirt on a hot day. We need to spice this part of education up, because there’s no point in obtaining an amazing degree, and then dying at the age of 28 because of health factors you could have prevented. You could counter that thought by saying tomorrow isn’t promised, which is very true, but why put your body through that? I don’t know first-hand, but I don’t think being over weight or obese feels good. 

Is it all in the food, or is it also things that we take in from our environment? I don't know about you, but when I was growing up I was exempt from certain conversations my parents and other adults had. These days it’s a bit different. You turn on the television, and it’s as if the conversations we were previously barred from are now the norm on "children shows." And not just the conversations, but also the behaviors as well. Society is accepting so much more, and as a result teens are absorbing that. I’m sure you could understand. Have you heard half the things these kids talk about or the way they speak? Not only to themselves but to adults and authority figures as well. No respect. So now imagine the effect that could have on a teen parent who watches those shows, and at times, with their child. That should be the time when the parent says, “You can’t watch this”, but now that rarely happens, especially with teen parents. There’s no distinction of authority. Many teen parents treat their children as companions. The problem with that is when they want to get serious their child does not take them serious, and in return becomes defiant. It’s just the same as if you had a friend who tried to boss you around, and told what to do. Would you do it? Most likely not. Another possible reason teen parents act that way is because they may have felt their parents were too strict and they don’t want to be that they.

Honestly this can go on and on. We can take a look at almost any category, and probably relate it to parenting. So how can we fix this problem? That is a very good question. I’d like finish with this. Do you all remember the “baby boomers?” Well, if you do, then think about how many of them are alive today. A lot actually, but sadly we all live and die. I mention them because we are going to be in that state very soon. We’re in a war, and if and when it ends the same thing will most likely happen. My thing is, what about all these teen pregnancies we are having? In some parts of the U.S. it’s about twenty teen pregnancies per high-school grade. That’s about eighty newborn’s a year for that school district. But as we all know those numbers can always rise and drastically effect the middle school population. And I believe it has, but not in large numbers just yet. With that said, just think of how many babies will be booming in the near future, and think of the issues I mentioned. Don’t you wonder how bad things can get? I do. I also have a way we can fix this issue, but it’s heartless. I believe to fix a problem we must start at the root. We should start with the children. Educate them vigorously on issues that have nationwide implications. And to be honest, many of them know more then we think, which isn’t very shocking. Yet schools limit the knowledge we, as adults, are allowed to give because they feel it’s too much, or not appropriate (dumb fucks, right?). We aren't in the fifties. Exposure to what was once appalling is now the norm. They have to get with the program or we are going to fail. By educating children that way we can change things. Sadly, for the much older population (forty, and up), I consider them a lost cause. They’re already set in their ways and trying to change them would be pointless, especially with all their complaining.

So there you have it.