Social Issues

A social issue is defined as an issue that is widespread and has serious consequences, directly or
indirectly, for a large section of the population. Concern about a social issue may arise because
it:

- Involves what many consider to be unacceptable behaviour

- Indicates a decline in moral standards or an abandonment of traditional values
- Has serious financial implications that affect how public money is spent

The social issues studied below affect society generally but particularly influence family life. In
formulating strategies to deal with them you need to:

- Identify the issue

- Understand how it might have arisen
- Analyse possible solutions which address the causes of the issue and the needs of those
involved

Teenage Pregnancy
A live birth, fetal death or abortion occurring to female under 20 years of age. Teenage
pregnancy is a social issue of teenage girls getting pregnant. In developing countries, teenage
pregnancy is quite usual since many women are expected to be married and have children before
they are 20.

Causes
1. Pregnancy may occur because of a lack of knowledge or access to methods of preventing
pregnancy, as they may be too embarrassed or frightened to seek such information.
2. Rape is one factor that affects teenage pregnancy. Sexual intercourse with a teenager is
not treated as consensual. In Jamaica, it is illegal for an adult to have sex with individuals
under age 16.
3. Poverty is believed in instances to be associated with increased rates of teenage
pregnancy.
 4. Teenage girls with older partners are more likely to become pregnant than those with
partners closer in age, and are also more likely to have the baby rather than get an
abortion.
5. Women exposed to abuse, domestic violence and family strife in childhood are more
likely than those without such experiences to have a teenage pregnancy.
6. A survey reported that under-aged females had sexual intercourse in response to their
boyfriend's desire for it.
7. Many teenage pregnancies result from the failure to use contraceptives. Many individuals
claim it is embarrassing to buy birth control.
8. Teenage pregnancy may also be attributed to a breakdown of communication between
parents and children and also to inadequate parental supervision.
9. Sexual content in pictures on television, on the internet and in music may help to
influence teenagers to engage in sexual activity.
10. A girl might also become pregnant in an attempt to retain or win back a boyfriend. A
young man may equate not having a child with his girlfriend to her not loving him.
11. Lack of religious and moral education.
12. Broken homes where the impact of socialisation of children by both parents is weakened.
13. Lack of education on the disadvantages of sexual activity prior to marriage.
14. The influence of television where it is at times seemingly portraying that there is nothing
morally wrong with practising sex at any time and at any age.
15. Poor role models in society
16. Peer pressure
17. Promises made to young girls by men who seemingly have money and wanting to
exchange this money for sexual favours.

Consequences
1. The 'character' of an unwed mother is tarnished because of norms in our society.
2. Teenagers invariably lack the social and psychological maturity to raise children.
3. School drop-outs, as education and training may be curtailed.
4. Forced into marriage.
5. Affects health.
 6. Teenagers do not always possess the financial resources required to maintain a child or
children.

Solutions
1. Parents and schools must strive to educate teenagers about sex, pregnancy and other teen
issues.
2. Supervision of what is watched on the television.
3. Young people should practise group dating.
4. When all else fail it is recommended that contraceptive be made available; however,
from a Christian standpoint, we believe moral restraint is the best solution.
5. Choose your friend wisely; avoid peer pressure and say no when it is necessary.

Controlling teenage pregnancy

 Government, health and education institutions should work together to preventing
teenage pregnancy through better sex education and improving contraceptive and advice services
for young people.
 Support for teenage mothers, including helping them return to the education system,
advising and supporting, working with young fathers.

Impact on the mother/child

Being a young mother can affect one's education. Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of
school. Failure to complete high school reduces career opportunities for many young women.
Teenagers, as a group, have significantly higher complication rates both during pregnancy and
delivery.
Teenage mothers have a higher risk of postnatal depression than older women. Babies born to
teenage girls are at higher risk of being born prematurely and of having a low birth weight.
Children born to teenage mothers face an increased risk of physical neglect and abuse and poor
school performance. Teenagers may also experience alienation from their peers and family.
Teenage fathers
In most Caribbean countries, teenage mothers are not married to the fathers of their children.
Teenage parents are frequently in a romantic relationship at the time of birth but many adolescent
fathers do not stay with the mother, and this often disrupts their relationship with the child.