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Causes of Teenage Pregnancy



Here are some of the most common causes of teenage pregnancy:

• Physiological Triggers: The teens can be a confusing and challenging time in an individual's life. Many teenagers are influenced by their peers and this may also worsen due to lack of communication at home or strained relationships with parents. In such circumstances, teenagers are likely to rely on people outside the family for emotional support.
• Influence of Mass Media: Puberty triggers significant physiological and emotional changes and because of this teenagers tend to explore sexuality. If the parents or teachers do not impart proper sex education, they are likely to turn to other sources for information. The topic of sexuality is usually handled quite carelessly by the mass media and vulnerable teenagers can get easily exploited by it.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Alcohol and drug use is widespread amount youngsters these days. Such a lifestyle often also leads to promiscuous sexual relations between the sexes.
• Socio-Economic Factors: In some developing countries, teenage pregnancy is rampant because the age-old custom of child marriage is still practiced. In other cultures, due to economic hardships, teenagers may be compelled to have children early so that they can start earning for the family.
• No Sex Education: In many developed countries, children are exposed to sexuality much before they receive proper sex education. The reluctance or discomfort on the part of parents to teach their children about sex may also be a contributing factor to teenage pregnancy.