ARGUMANTATIVE ESSAY

Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescence, is when a female under the age of 20 gets pregnant.
This is one of the biggest problem women face her in the Philippines, the saying of our national hero
Dr. Jose P. Rizal that "Kabataan ang pag asa ng bayan" translated as "Youth is the hope of our
Mother land". Which in their hands lies the future Generation to follow, but as we look at the
situation, there is a rapid increase in numbers of teenagers who are pregnant in our country.
Early pregnancy is one of the pressing issues Filipino youths are facing today. The Philippines has
one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates among the ASEAN member states despite the decrease of
total live births of teenage mothers (aged 10-19) in 2016 (203,085) to 183,000 in 2019. According to
the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), the Philippines has recorded a 7%
increase in births among girls aged 15 and below in 2019. Filipino minors who gave birth in 2019
increased to 62,510 from 62,341 in 2018. In 2019, 2,411 very young adolescents aged 10 to 14 gave
birth, or almost seven every day. Early childbearing may result in poor health outcomes and may be a
threat to the country’s economic growth. Pregnant adolescents are less likely to complete higher
education and have lesser ability to earn more income over the course of a lifetime, causing
economic losses to the country.
Pregnancy during teenage years is also associated with a higher risk of health problems such as
preeclampsia, anemia, contracting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), premature delivery,
postpartum hemorrhage, and poor mental health outcomes. Teenage mothers are more likely to
experience violence and depression that can increase the risk of mental disorders. Pregnant
adolescents have identified that nutrition messages should include information on eating
appropriately for the baby's and mother's health, offer advice on foods for physical comfort, and
emphasize specific foods rather than nutrients. Lack of knowledge on nutrition can also lead to poor
health outcomes.
There are many of the things that teenagers have to give up; one is by having a child at a young age,
when they are a child themselves. Teens should think about what they are doing before they
accidentally become teenage mothers. And it is the responsibility not only of a parent but of other
adults to assist a child so that she will not be pregnant early. No one wants to become a parent when
they are a teenager. Teenagers are not able to get a decent education, and some teens don’t know
what they want to do with their lives. Teens don’t want to stay home and take care of a child. The
socioeconomic impact of teen pregnancy causes a never-ending cycle of ignorance and poverty, as
well as continuing the lack of family and societal support structures that are necessary to build a
productive life.
It's about time that we stopped making assumptions about teen mothers and pregnancy. Without a
doubt, preventing teen pregnancies should continue to be a top concern because it can cause
difficulties for society, the economy, and our health. But when a teen becomes pregnant, we as
family, friends, neighbors, and members of the larger society should work to give the teen mom the
love, care, and support she needs through her most difficult times. These actions of ours have the
power to improve the future and save millions of lives.