Teen Pregnancy in the United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the facts about teen pregnancy and examines the social influences upon the behaviors which result in teen pregnancy. The author discusses the importance of the perceptions on teen pregnancy in the area where the teen lives, and the policy, education, and services which are available for teens in this situation. The paper concludes with a description of the existing policies geared towards the reduction of this problem, together with an assessment thereof.

Outline:
The Decisions that Result in Teen Pregnancy
The Facts of Teen Pregnancy
The Importance of the Mother's Perceptions
Recommended Policy and the Futility of Abstinence Programs

From the Paper:

"Teen pregnancy results of course from teen sexual behavior. The motivations behind such a decision are varied, however are influenced by psychosocial factors such as peer pressure, and the impact of societal norms. Adolescent decision-making in regards to risky behaviors have been of particular interest to the sociological and psychological fields, as the problem is significant. Adolescents are more likely than children or adults to be driven by social concerns when making decisions, decisions which extend into the sexual sphere. The likelihood of an individual choosing to have sex varies with the average behavior in his or her school. To further augment this, the level of perception within their social scene multiplies, alongside other risk factors which are unique to gender and race, the variabilities of which help to explain the large variation in sexual initiation across schools in the United States."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Longfield, Anne. "We Must Not Alienate Teenage Parents." Children & Young People Now. 2/27/2008, p. 18.
• Santelli, John S.; Lindberg, Laura Duberstein; Finer, Lawrence B.; Singh, Susheela. " Contemporary Sexuality. 41.7, pp. 8-12. 2007.
• Fletcher, Jason M. "Social Multipliers in Sexual Initiation Decisions Among U.S. High School Students." Demography. 44.2, pp. 373-388. 2007.
• Mann, Joshua R.' Stine, Curtis. "The Roles of Abstinence and Contraception in Declining Pregnancy Rates." American Journal of Public Health. 97.6, p. 969. 2007.
• Mylod, Deirdre E; Whitman, Thomas L; Borkowski, John G. "." Journal of Research on Adolescence. 7.4, pp. 457-478. 1997.

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