GROUP 1

Members:
Mark Joshua Uy
John Lloyd Garcia
Pauline Garcia
Precious Talledo
Mike Allen Magpantay

“The Impacts of Teenage Pregnancy”

Teenage pregnancy, a global issue affecting millions of girls annually, disrupts healthy

development, impacting education, livelihoods, and overall well-being. According to the World

Health Organization (WHO), approximately 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years in developing

regions become pregnant each year, and about 12 million of them give birth. Factors such as

limited access to sexual health services, early marriage, sexual abuse, poverty, gender inequality,

and cultural norms contribute to this problem. In addressing teenage pregnancy, is it dismissed as

a societal norm, or recognized as an urgent call to empower young minds?

Teenage pregnancy imposes significant adverse impacts on the physical well-being of

adolescent mothers and their infants. Adolescent mothers face elevated risks of complications

such as eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections. According to WHO,

complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15 to 19-year-

old girls globally.

Infants born to teenage mothers are at a heightened risk of low birth weight, preterm

birth, and severe neonatal conditions. These complications not only jeopardize the immediate

health of the newborns but also contribute to long-term health challenges, potentially leading to

disabilities or even fatalities for both the adolescent mother and her child. Babies born to
adolescent mothers face a substantially higher risk of dying than those born to women aged 20 to

24.

Teenage pregnancy exacts a profound toll on the mental health of adolescent mothers.

According to UNICEF DATA, young mothers find themselves disproportionately susceptible to

a spectrum of mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress

disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and even suicidal ideation or behavior.

Some people always argue that teenage pregnancy is not a problem, but rather a personal

choice or a cultural norm. They believe that teenagers are capable of making responsible

decisions about their sexual behavior and parenthood. However, this argument overlooks several

important facts. Many teenage pregnancies are unintended or unwanted, suggesting that many

teenagers are not making fully informed or voluntary decisions about their sexual behavior and

parenthood.

Teenage pregnancy, while viewed by some as a personal choice or cultural norm, has

significant adverse impacts on the physical and mental health of adolescent mothers and their

infants. It is an issue that demands comprehensive attention and support. The question still

remains: Will society continue to dismiss teenage pregnancy as a norm, or will it recognize the

urgency to empower young minds and take action?