Adolescent pregnancy is a medical and social phenomenon, which leads to the birth, abortion or termination of pregnancy, creating physical, psychological and social effects on the adolescent. It is found in all societies to a greater or lesser degree. In the Western world, the highest rates of teenage pregnancy are found in the United States with a percentage of 52.1% in 2001, followed by Great Britain with 63,748 teenage pregnancies in 2008. Greece is in the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Europe with 3,129 teenage births in 2007, without having been recorded the miscarriages and abortions. As a result, the number of teenage pregnancies is much higher. It is worth emphasizing, that the lowest rates of adolescent pregnancy occur in France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Denmark (M. Siettou, M. Saridi 2011: 40-42).
Although the vast majority of teenage pregnancies are involuntary, we should not overlook the reasons, why many teens end up with this unwanted situation. The most important factor is the social and economic conditions, in which adolescents find themselves. It has been observed, that the largest percentage of teenage pregnancies occur in girls, who belong to weaker social class. This is due to the fact, that they have insufficient information on issues of reproduction and use of contraceptives (M. Siettou, M. Saridi 2011: 43). In addition, the privileged maternity benefits provided by the State result in many adolescents perceiving it as a solution to their financial problems (E.Jones 1986: 20). Finally, social exclusion and the desire for integration are a source of adolescent pregnancy. Indigenous or foreign teenagers, who feel marginalized by society due to religion, ethnicity, e.t.c. believe that by having a child they will be able to integrate into society. This is especially the case in countries outside the Western world, such as Cuba, Chile and Puerto Rico (E.Jones 1986: 12-13).
The next and equally decisive factor is the teenage girl’s family. Most teenage pregnancies occur in girls, who come from single-parent families or from teens, who grow up under the protection of the State. In these cases, feelings of loneliness and insecurity, lack of love and trust end up in adolescents wanting to create their own family, so as to fill their emotional gaps (M. Siettou, M. Saridi 2011: 44). Also, according to research from the University of Bristol, teenagers, who are children of teenage parents or have a sister, who is a minor mother are more affected by their own sexual behavior than the sexual behavior of their friends or school teachings and are more likely to experience a pregnancy in adolescence (www.tovima.gr 20/08/2011). Closing the family chapter we need to mention the significance of parental supervision. In countries such as Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, where women focus on their careers versus raising their children, high rates of teenage pregnancies occur. In contrast, in countries such as Spain and the Netherlands, where women are not necessarily included in the labor market, adolescent pregnancy rates are much lower (E.Jones 1986: 14).
The last but not least factor is education. Teenagers, who do poorly in school or do not want to study end up not continuing their education beyond compulsory education. This has as a result to give weight to their love affairs without realizing the consequences. In addition, the inability to find a job and the low career prospects lead them to the desire to start a family, as this is a source of satisfaction, success and social prestige (E.Jones 1986: 226-229 and M. Siettou, M. Saridi 2011: 45 ).
Although adolescent pregnancy rates in Europe have fallen from 9% in 1985 to 5.2% in 2002 (A. Sarantaki, I. Koutelekos 2007: 14), the social phenomenon of adolescent pregnancy remains. That is, why all countries must take measures of prevention and confrontation. The purpose of prevention is to reduce, ideally and eliminate, the above causes. This can be achieved through the existence of sex education and information programs in schools, so that adolescents can are informed about the reproductive process and methods of contraception. They also need to have easy access to information and contraception services and in the market of contraceptive products (M. Siettou, M. Saridi 2011: 47). Some countries, such as England, run campaigns to prevent young people from having sex during adolescence in order to reduce teenage pregnancies. However, discouraging active sexual activity at an age, when there is increased sexual activity and fertility is not an effective prevention tactic. On the contrary, if we go beyond conservative ideas and beliefs, such as France, offer a proper and adequate sex education to adolescents and trust their judgment, then we will have positive results.
Methodical and focused efforts and actions to prevent teenage pregnancy can reduce pregnancy rates in adolescence but can’t eliminate them. In this case, the State, educational institutions, primary health care institutions and the family should work together, so that the adolescent can cope with a teenage pregnancy. Initially, the State needs to allocate a significant percentage of the state budget to create the appropriate and efficient infrastructure. In addition, the measures that will be taken to deal with this phenomenon should be made public in the media to inform society as a whole, but, also, to create a positive influence on society (A.Sarantaki, I.Koutelekos 2007: 3- 4). Next, schools should have qualified teachers and modern curricula in the field of sex education. In addition, they should support and offer assistance in cooperation with clinics with confidentiality to adolescents, who wish to terminate their pregnancy. The rate of abortions in several countries (e.g. USA) is equivalent to the rate of adolescent births. This is due to the fact that pregnancy is involuntary or due to fear of social stigma (e.g. Sweden) (E.Jones 1986: 204, 237). Subsequently, primary health care providers should provide services to adolescents regardless of income criteria whether they wish to continue their pregnancy or not (E.Jones 1986: 221). In both cases, the importance of providing medical services is paramount. In the first case, because the adolescent will be able to be provided with all the medical examinations and follow-ups that she needs to give birth to a healthy baby and in this way the percentage of low birth rates that plague the Western world will be diminished. In the second case, complications and risks to the health of the adolescent will be avoided and the percentage of adolescent pregnancies in the lower classes will be reduced. (A.Robokou-Karagianni 2003, E.Jones 1986). Finally, the attitude of the parents is decisive. They need to support their teenage daughter both psychologically and practically. By this we mean to inform her about the medical procedures that will follow, to support her in the changes that will occur, to direct her to the appropriate doctors, etc.
From the above, it is understood that adolescent pregnancy is a serious medical and social phenomenon, but not irreversible. It can be prevented and dealt with by taking the appropriate measures and the cooperation of the State with the competent social bodies.
BIBLIOGRAGHY
- Elise F.Jones (1986), Teenage Pregnancy in Industrialized Countries, New Haven, Yale University Press
- Α.Ρobokou – Κaragianni (2003), Family and Social Policy στο Α.Β. Riga and Associates, The Pandora’s Box, Athens, Greek Letters.
- Sarantaki, I.Koutelekos (April – June 2007), Teenage Pregnancy, Athens, Health Science Journal
- Siettoy, Μ.Saridi (January – March 2011), Risk factors for adolescent pregnancy, Athens, The Step of Asclepius
- tovima.gr
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