CAUSES

The Philippines has been experiencing the insoluble dilemma of teenage pregnancy, especially
after the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Philippines’ teenage pregnancy post-pandemic
prevalence). These teenage pregnancy issues are primarily rooted in the lack of information about
sexual and reproductive health and rights, inadequate access to services tailored to young people, and
the external pressures and influences of the family, community, and society.

1. Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights

In every Filipino household, discussion about sexual intercourse between a man and a woman serves as a
taboo. Coming from religious beliefs, the parents fear that their children might grow more curious about
this topic after educating them about the purpose and differences in the reproductive organ between
males and females. However taught in schools through the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act of 2012 that integrated sex education into the public school curriculum for students ages 10 to
19 (Nicholas,2020), the teenage pregnancy rate is still assertive. Parents transferred the responsibilities of
educating children to their respective teachers. On the other hand, although the teachers truly informed
the children about teenage pregnancy and its consequences, concerns about the crucial obligation of the
parents agonize them. Information needs to be taught to someone repeatedly to remain as long-term
memory.

 Inadequate access to services tailored to young people

Moreover, the provision of modern contraceptives for all citizens is not enough to accommodate the
number of Filipinos who needed them. Contraceptives greatly help adolescents prevent accidental
pregnancy. Unlike Western countries, the Philippines has conservative doctrines about sex that quite
prohibit the proper dissemination of information about contraceptives and safe sex.

 Environmental Influences and Sexual violence

Lastly, environmental influences and sexual violence cause teenage pregnancy. Every
individual experiences the adolescence phase where peers and community hugely affected
one’s behavior. Some adolescents are pressured to adjust to the norms of their peers to
attain acceptance. Aside from that, sexual violence is the most immoral cause of teenage
pregnancy. Sexual predators target young individuals who are most vulnerable and incapable
to protect themselves. The Philippine age of consent is 12 years old, however, consent is not
effective for these selfish sexual predators who prey on the young out of lust and desire.
 EFFECTS

Young girls of ages 10 to 19 encounter pressures and consequences of the decisions they made
or the forces emanating from the primary causes of teenage pregnancy. They should have the power to
solely decide for their bodies and acknowledge the effects of teenage pregnancy such as health risks and
complications, interrupted education, and threat to economic growth.

1. Health Risks and Complications

Most teenage pregnancy cases in the Philippines are reported to be unplanned. Teenage
mothers are more likely to have health risks and complications compared to an adult since
adolescents’ bodies are immature and still in the process of development. Pregnancy during the
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, poor mental health outcomes, depression, and risk of mental disorders (Pelegrino,
2021). Some unwanted pregnancies contemplated abortion that risks the health of the young
mother. On the other hand, young rape victims suffer from psychological trauma causing them
to experience a lot of stress which may gradually lead to suicidal thoughts.
2. Interrupted Education and Threat to Economic Growth
Pregnant adolescents are less likely to complete higher education and have a lesser ability to
earn more income over the course of a lifetime, causing economic losses to the country
(Pelegrino, 2021). A young woman mending the needs of a baby while studying is a difficult feat.
Early pregnancy forces adolescents to discontinue pursuing their dreams and commit to their
responsibilities more, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Therefore, a great number of
education stoppages may decrease the economic growth of the country.

References
Nichols, Z. (2020, December 15). Sex Education in the Philippines. The Borgen Project.
https://borgenproject.org/sex-education-in-the-philippines/#:~:text=Reproductive%20Health
%20Act&text=Through%20the%20act%2C%20the%20government
Pelegrino, E. N. (2021, March 21). Negative Impacts of Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines.
Www.nnc.gov.ph. https://nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/mindanao/region-ix-zamboanga-
peninsula/4931-negative-impacts-of-teenage-pregnancy-in-the-philippines
 Recent World Bank data shows that the Philippines has 47 births annually per 1,000
women aged 15-19, higher than the average adolescent birth rate of 44 globally and 33.5 in the
ASEAN region [cf. Lao PDR (76), Cambodia (57), Indonesia (48) and Thailand (43)].

Teenage Pregnancy
 Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights.
 Inadequate access to services tailored to young people.
 Family, community and social pressure to marry.
 Sexual violence.
 Child, early and forced marriage, which can be both a cause and a consequence.
 Lack of education or school drop-out.

 TEENAGE PREGNANCY
 Adolescent pregnancies are a global issue but most often occur in poorer
and marginalised communities. Many girls face considerable pressure to
marry early and become mothers while they are still children themselves.
 Teenage pregnancy increases when girls are denied the right to make
decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being.
 Girls must be able to make their own decisions about

POPCOM further said that in 2020, nearly two million Filipino women, ages 15-49 years old, are
expected to get pregnant and 10 percent of these pregnancies are among girls below 20.
Many of these women are expected to give birth nine months after the imposed community
quarantines

https://borgenproject.org/sex-education-in-the-philippines/#:~:text=Reproductive%20Health
%20Act&text=Through%20the%20act%2C%20the%20government,students%20ages%2010%20to%2019.

https://nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/mindanao/region-ix-zamboanga-peninsula/4931-negative-impacts-
of-teenage-pregnancy-in-the-philippines