...when there are so many things out there that we should be more concerned about. One thing is, drug use amoung teenagers, which I believe is a contributing factor to MANY teen pregnancies( but not all). And not only teens that "willingly" do drugs, but others that are forced to do so, by either being drugged at parties, or peer pressure. Sure, there are many teens out there having children, but I know that the numbers for teen drug abuse are way higher. So why are we concentrating so much on teen pregnancy/parenthood, when there is a far more important problem that is in more need of a solution!? It drives me crazy reading stories about all the so called stupid teens who messed up their lives by having a baby!!! WELL AT LEAST THEY STILL HAVE A LIFE!!! Drugs TAKE lives...Drugs ruin the children that we raise. It turns them into people they are not. Don't you agree that drugs and alcohol are really what is plaguing today's teens?
2007-02-21 05:31:04 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Ohg, just to say this question is not related to me. I was just wondering why everyone is freaking out about teen pregnancies when we are "losing" more of our youth to drugs and alcohol? To me, I could handle my teen coming home pregnant, ( I wouldn't jump for joy, but I would manage, and support her.) But if she came home drunk and stoned, I see a far worse problem here. One time could result in a life long problem resulting in crime or even worse..DEATH.
2007-02-21 05:51:18 · update #1
I think both are serious problems, but I think the reason teen pregnancy gets so much emphasis is that it does not only affect one person (as with drug use), it brings another new person into the equation. Also, teen pregnancy causes young mothers who likely do not have the resources or maturity level to properly nurture a child into this role, and with insufficient parenting this may lead to continuing a cycle of problems for the children as well, including drug use. In any case though, I think both are serious issues which need to be addressed.
2007-02-21 05:46:07 · answer #1 · answered by mandaj17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree somewhat. You have to also look at the fact that underage pregnant teens is like an epidemic. They are less likely to continue their education and go on to college or even finish high school. Less likely to have a nice paying job that will be able to fully take care of themselves and their child on their own without any public assistance. Tax payers end up paying more every year to help raise these babies through Wic, Insurance and Federal Housing programs. It becomes a lifestyle for most and they continue to have kids most by different fathers because they rarely find a guy that will stick around and accept his responsibility. Then when their kids get a little older they tend to be left alone more often because mom is at work. They don't get the attention they need and deserve and the only role model they have is their mother who they will look up to and end up the same way that she did. Also, teen mothers as they get older tend to try to be a friend to their kid and not a mother. It is all leads from one thing to another. If you looked up all of the statistics it is all the same pattern. I know it happens but I doubt that every kid that ends up pregnant was drugged unwillingly. You have to take some responsibility here. Everyone is always trying to blame what happened on this person or that person. If you don't use birth control or make him wear a condom and you hang around with a bunch of losers doing drugs or drinking so much you pass out. That is not being a responsible person teen or not so when you get pregnant you are not going to be a responsible mother to your child. Thus, blaming it on someone else and taxpayers end up paying for your mistakes!!
2007-02-21 05:46:10 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Know It All 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that drugs and alcohol are a terrible thing. However, I believe that statistics on children born to unwed, teen mothers show that it is a great cause for concern. We have children raising more children. At 16 can you really control your own emotions and behavior well enough to raise a child to be a productive, healthy member of society? That is why teen pregnancy is so terrible. Not because they mess up their life, but because they mess up the baby's life and possibly future generations.
2007-02-21 09:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by rm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scream peer pressure all you want but that is no excuse. People asked me to drink and do dope but did i? No i didn't. That is like saying everyone is jumping off of a bridge are you going to do it too because they are? Come on get real.
I am against teenage pregnancy. I think it is a shame. Most teenage pregnancies result from the lack of common sense. They should have enough sense to get on birth control and buy a 75 cent condom but i guess raising a baby is cheaper.
I think it is bad parenting and teenagers not having common sense is why all of this happens.
No one can force you to snort drugs, drink, shoot up or anything else unless they hold a gun to your head so don't try that BS with me. Why do all these little teenage girls get pregnant to try to hold onto a guy? What is wrong with that picture?
2007-02-21 05:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that you are on the pregnancy category so you will get a lot more about that than the drugs and alcohol thing.
2007-02-21 05:36:49 · answer #5 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when a teen gets pregnant it affects the whole community, a community that raises the baby..
2007-02-21 06:26:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋