Perspectives - On Teen Pregnancy
- Stephanie
- Sep 22, 2016
- 2 min read
There are more opportunities than ever for the teenage mother - which is best to take?
Becoming pregnant at any age can be scary, let alone when you are still legally a child. How can someone raise a child when they haven't finished developing and learning yet? In Australia, young women have several choices when it comes to pregnancy and their education.
Option #1: Terminating the pregnancy.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the amount of teen mums has dropped from 56 out of 1000 in 1971, to 13 in 2015. This is due not just to improvement in sexual education and greater access to contraception, but also to an increase in abortions.
Pregnant teenagers definitely feel more pressure to choose this option; whether from medical professionals, family and friends, or social stigma. This option can potentially lead to further medical issues and emotional trauma; however, it may also benefit the teenager and let them get back to a normal life and future.
Option #2: Raising the child.
The decision to raise a child is momentous - particularly for teenage mothers, who still haven't completed their own education and need to somehow provide for their family. Gone are the days where teenage girls would have to leave studying forever after giving birth. There are several community programs in Australia that create support networks, promote confidence, and prove access to secondary and tertiary qualifications that can completely change lives.
At Kurnai College in Churchill VIC, teenagers can finish their Year 12/VET studies in their acclaimed Young Parent Program. Another program is Bump, which runs in capital cities in the eastern states. It pairs young mothers with older mentors, enabling advice and study time. Graduates achieve a TAFE Certificate I in Access to Work and Training.
Do today’s educational opportunities make becoming a teenage mother a reasonable decision?
What is the best option for pregnant teenagers?
What do you believe?
YOUNG PARENT PROGRAM: http://kypp.dimartino.com.au/
BUMP: http://www.raise.org.au/what-we-do/#1445375910938-137580b5-d120
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