Sexuality: Teen Pregnancy

I chose to do this topic because I have some insight into being a teen parent. I had my first son when I was 16, as a junior in high school. When discussing the various hardships that teen parents face, one that has yet to be explored in depth is social acceptance and isolation. For teens who are about to be a parent or even those who are a parent, they exist in between several social groups. For the purpose of this discussion, a review of some social groups is in order. Whenever looking at social groups, one must remember that they are arbitrary and the boundaries of each group are somewhat flexible to adapt to the individual. The first major social group the teen is concerned with is broadly labeled "teenagers". I would divide that group in to at least two subgroups : middle school and high school. Generally, those between 12-15 generally do not interact much with those in the 16-19 age group. I separate these because the early teen years are primarily about learning about oneself, whereas the later teen years are more about making decisions about one's future, though these two activities do interact and both groups have elements of each. The post-high school years are generally the time when people begin to make decisions that will set the pace for the rest of their lives. After that social group comes early adulthood. This is the time when people begin to get married, have children, buy homes, etc.


The main issue with teen parents is that they are encroaching upon a social group that is two maybe three steps above their age-like peers. Many teens think that they will be able to manage their new responsibilities and maintain their bubbling social life. However, unless someone is in the teens' life to finance their new child's upbringing, that hope will never be realized. Not only will the teen parent have less time for social interaction, but the social interaction they receive will not be edifying. Few teens are mature enough to supply the type of peerage that will help young parents overcome the stress of their new lives. A teen parent, when interacting with those their own age, may begin to feel disconnected. They no longer have time to keep up with everything that is going on and quite frankly, will be too tired to care. With the void left in their social life, teens may seek companionship from others that are at a similar stage in their lives. Unfortunately, they will find that many people are not willing to admit so young a parent into their circle, and if they do, it will be as a charity case. The teen parent will never be considered an equal amongst those that have ascended the normal timeline of social groups. Although, older parents will always be willing to give advice, the opinion of a teen parent is often unwanted or overlooked. For those teen parents who have braved to mingle amongst their older parenting peers, the rejection of this group can be confusing and devastating. The teen essentially enters into a social isolation, where they are a part of many social groups, but included in none. Where do these teen parents turn? How do they build healthy social interaction? Once out of the loop, how do these teens get back in? And finally, does anyone care?

Much of the litereature is dedicated to preventing teen pregnancy. This is a noble and worthwhile cause and should be propogated. Such websites as http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/ are excellent resources for prevention.  However, what about the ones who do get pregnant? There are also sites that are there to help pregnant teens like http://www.teenpregnancyhelp.net/. These sites however do not fully prepare teens for the life that is now before them. That is why it is essential for preganat teens to seek out some type of support group. Those who have become succesful inspite of teen pregnancy must offer their assistance to those now struggling. Too much emphasis is place upon the negative. As a teen parent who has become succesful I find articles such as Brenda Maynard's "Kids Having Kids"( http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED409389&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED409389)  to be depressing. All she talks about is how teen pregnancy is so costly for everyone. One would come away from her articles with a very pessimistic view of their life. However, Helen Keller said that
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." Whether it is physical suffering or social and emotional, such as that brought on by teen pregnancy, all can be overcome. This is the message we need to send to teens who are pregnant. The video below helps to illustrate my point:
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Uf-C1nFkqpU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Across

3.     Term that refers to the attraction that people feel for people of the same or different sex.

6.     The termination of a pregnancy.

8.     Term refering to the illegal imprisonment and forced prostitution of boys or girls.

9.     The fear and hatred of homosexuality.

10.   Any method of preventing pregancy.

Down

1.     The definition of oneself that is formed around one's sexual relationships.

2.     Refers to the widespread  changes in men's and women's roles and a greater public acceptance of sexuality as a normal part of social development.

4.     Term that refers to the link between sexuality and power.

5.     Refers to the epidemic of adolescents who become pregnant.

7.     Term that refers to the institutionalization of heterosexuality as the only natural form of sexual orientation.