Several negative consequences can be realized from teenage pregnancies. Understanding the necessary risks associated is vital in the identification and implementation of protective factors and prevention efforts. This paper identifies and discusses the various risks factors and precursors to adolescent pregnancy. The study also highlights the rates of tenancy pregnancy in Florida and support and coping mechanisms to the stressors that promote teenage pregnancy.
Various Risk and Precursor Factors in Adolescent Pregnancy
The various risk factors that accelerate adolescent pregnancy include having a mother who gave birth before 20, limited maternal education, and poverty ( Cicognani, 2017 ). Additional risks include low self-esteem, early use of drugs and alcohol, coming from a home with frequent family conflicts, early sexual activity and being from s single-parent home.
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Community and State Resources to Adolescent Pregnancy
California has a long-standing tradition of exemplary support for teenage pregnancy programs. There has, however, been drastically reduced funding for teenage pregnancy programs from the state. The state of California supports sexual, non-sexual and other programs that help in the slow-down of teen pregnancy rates in the state. The state has allocated a substantive budget appropriation and the affordable Care Act. More than $75 million is provided by the state for the personal responsibility education program.
The state also appropriates $25 million annually to the Pregnancy Assistance Fund established through the Affordable Care Act. The Pregnancy assistance provides a network of support services that help prevent violence towards pregnant teens. The teenagers are provided to complete their educational degrees and retain access to essential support, family housing and healthcare.
Teen Pregnancy Rates in California
Teenage pregnancy and birth rates in California have reduced significantly. According to the California Department of Health, the teenage birth rate between ages 15-19 has reduced from 31.9 per 1000 females in 2008 to 14.2 per 1000 females in 2016 (Data.chhs.ca.gov, 2021). The table below presents the pregnancy rates in California, as noted by the Department of health.
Table 1 Pregnancy Rates in California (Data.chhs.ca.gov, 2021)
| Area | Location | Indicator Rate Value | Rate Lower Confidence Interval | Rate Upper Confidence Interval | Indicator Count Value | Indicator Value Unstable | Period of Measure |
| State | California |
14.2 |
14 |
14.4 |
19088 |
No | 2016-2018 |
| State | California |
15.7 |
15.5 |
16 |
No | 2015-2017 | |
| State | California |
17.6 |
17.4 |
17.8 |
No | 2014-2016 | |
| State | California |
22.7 |
No | 2013 | |||
| State | California |
21 |
20.8 |
21.2 |
No | 2013-2015 | |
| State | California |
23.4 |
23.2 |
23.7 |
No | 2012-2014 | |
| State | California |
25.5 |
25.2 |
25.7 |
No | 2011-2013 | |
| State | California |
28.3 |
28.1 |
28.6 |
No | 2010-2012 | |
| State | California |
31.5 |
31.2 |
31.8 |
No | 2009-2011 | |
| State | California |
31.9 |
31.7 |
32.2 |
No | 2008-2010 |
Common Stressors in Teenagers
There are numerous unavoidable stressors during teenage. Teenagers encounter these stressors every time they go on their daily activities. Understanding how these stressors promote teenage pregnancies can help solve the challenge. Two major stressors that contribute to teenage pregnancies are peer pressure and parental expectations. Teenagers fear missing out on what is considered cool by those around them ( Cicognani, 2017 ). This fear lets them indulge in risky behaviours such as unprotected that could result in pregnancy. Teenagers could also succumb to peer pressure and involve themselves in doing drugs and alcohol. The adverse effects of these drugs could indirectly lead to pregnancies. For example, the drugs could lead the teenagers into illegal activities such as rape. Low parental expectations from parents could also lead to teenage pregnancy. Parents should set high standards for their kids t to maintain responsible behaviour.
Support or Coping Mechanism
Identifying the factors that effectively guide the planning and implementation of teen pregnancy prevention program is essential. The requirements of varied and specific needs of the youth in a particular community form the focus of identifying the stressors. Some of the coping and support mechanisms identified by the author of this study include encouraging peer use of such as contraceptives. Parents need to initiate open conversations with their children on abstinence, sexual health, having one sexual partner, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
References
Cicognani, E. (2017). Coping strategies with minor stressors in adolescence: Relationships with social support, self‐efficacy, and psychological well‐being. Journal of Applied social psychology , 41 (3), 559-578.
Data.chhs.ca.gov. 2021. Medi-Cal Birth Statistics, by Select Characteristics and California Resident Hospital Births - California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal. [online] Available at: <https://data.chhs.ca.gov/dataset/medi-cal-birth-statistics-by-select-characteristics-california-resident-hospital-births> [Accessed 24 May 2021].
