Teen Pregnancy Poverty and Welfare

An Epidemic of Social Construction

When and Why It Became An Epidemic? 1970’s through 1980’s 1970’s through 1980’s Scholars and media presented the issue as a main area of focus Scholars and media presented the issue as a main area of focus Group of biggest concern Group of biggest concern Inequality of education and social standing Inequality of education and social standing Reinforcement of traditional beliefs about having a child out of wedlock. Reinforcement of traditional beliefs about having a child out of wedlock.

In reality…. Birth rates amongst teens declined throughout 70’s and 80’s. Birth rates amongst teens declined throughout 70’s and 80’s. Pregnancy rates among African Americans were stable, yet amongst Caucasians increased. Pregnancy rates among African Americans were stable, yet amongst Caucasians increased. Abortion rates among teens made up only 30% of all abortions in the 70’s. Abortion rates among teens made up only 30% of all abortions in the 70’s.

Furthermore… Although the birth rates among teens were not increasing, the prevalence of pre-marital sex was. Although the birth rates among teens were not increasing, the prevalence of pre-marital sex was.

Worries Associated With Sex Amongst Teens Emotional/Physical readiness Emotional/Physical readiness Moral concerns Moral concerns Difficulty in obtaining contraceptives Difficulty in obtaining contraceptives Carelessness surrounding use of contraceptives Carelessness surrounding use of contraceptives

The Underlying Correlation Negative stigma of teenage pregnancy- directly proportional to shrinking middle class. Negative stigma of teenage pregnancy- directly proportional to shrinking middle class. Economic changes: Economic changes: Larger % of teens in population Larger % of teens in population Declining wages Declining wages

Underlying Correlation (cont.) Social structural changes Social structural changes fewer traditional households fewer traditional households Marriage is more common among Caucasians than among African Americans Marriage is more common among Caucasians than among African Americans

Chicken vs. Egg Pregnancy vs. Poverty Pregnancy vs. Poverty Poverty as cause of pregnancy: Poverty as cause of pregnancy: Lack of resources Contraception Social support Finances Lack of education leads to low-paying jobs Teen mothers already living in poverty, pass on poverty to child. Society used teen pregnancy to explain various social problems where there was no correlation. Society used teen pregnancy to explain various social problems where there was no correlation.

Teen Pregnancy: Choice & Consequence → Is it the chicken or the egg that comes first? → Does the teen get pregnant because of bad choices ? → Or does a lack of resources, education, background, etc. lead to teen pregnancy?

Many poor and minority teens are at greater risk of early childbearing because they live in poor neighborhoods. Many poor and minority teens are at greater risk of early childbearing because they live in poor neighborhoods. Those who come from poor and minority backgrounds have intercourse at earlier ages and delay using effective contraception. Those who come from poor and minority backgrounds have intercourse at earlier ages and delay using effective contraception. About 40% of pregnant teens seek an abortion. However, those who do seek abortions tend to be affluent & white, have more ambitious educational & career goals. About 40% of pregnant teens seek an abortion. However, those who do seek abortions tend to be affluent & white, have more ambitious educational & career goals. In 1980, a large national survey done of young women aged 15 & 16 suggested that these patterns, of teenage pregnancy pertaining to classes, hold true across racial lines   In 1980, a large national survey done of young women aged 15 & 16 suggested that these patterns, of teenage pregnancy pertaining to classes, hold true across racial lines 5% of whites, 13% of blacks, and 9% of Hispanics said they definitely would consider having a child out of wedlock.  5% of whites, 13% of blacks, and 9% of Hispanics said they definitely would consider having a child out of wedlock. Poverty pertaining to Race & Living Situation

Research shows that teenage mothers are in poorer health, have more medical problems during pregnancy, and give birth to still born, short-lived, lowbirth, and medically compromised babies The criteria for eligibility of Medicaid is so complex that in some states poor women are well along in pregnancy before they can receive medical care. In 1992, 40% of all pregnant teenagers lacked medical care during the first trimester. When there is access to routine health care, teenagers who give birth face lower risks. The obstacles separating young mothers from healthier pregnancies & births are social rather than physical. Medical, Problems, Care & Teen Mothers

Influences of Education pertaining to Poverty & Teen Pregnancy The available research suggests that when a young not only comes from a poor family but receives low grades in school and loses faith in her own abilities, she is much more likely to get pregnant In the late 1970's, schools began to adopt programs to keep pregnant teens in the educational system. (Focus on parenting skills)  Programs have allowed teens to stay in school and continue on to graduation.  Increase in the numbers of teen mothers graduating from high school.