Early Pregnancy Among Girls in Our Society: Who is Responsible?

Early pregnancy is growing at an alarming rate all over the world. The entire globe is affected by it. The reasons in different countries may be different but the consequence is always the same, a deteriorated adolescence.

In the developing countries the teenage pregnancy is the result of their traditional values like early marriage. People in such countries believe that getting their girls married at younger age, reduces the risk of the girls getting attracted to men and also proves their fertility. Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance also plays a significant role in increasing the pregnancy rate among the teenage girls. In such countries society has more to do and decide on the fertility status of the females than the female herself.

Unlike the developing countries, in the developed countries like ours, the cause of teenage pregnancy is totally different. Here it is not seen among the boundaries of the marriage, rather outside the marriages. Such pregnancies are considered to be more of a taboo in the society. Today, almost in the entire part of the world, having sex before the age of 20 is considered to be fashionable and modern. This has increased the pregnancy rates among the adolescents all over the world.

There are many factors that have increased the sexual relationship in the young females. The most important one is the environment at home. When kids get a congenial environment at home, it is unlikely that they get attracted to the other gender for sex. Generally girls who are left alone at homes with both the parents spending most of their time outside the house, carve for a company and love from others. They are misguided when they feel that they are getting that love from a guy who they are dating and give in to his sexual demands to impress him. Such female have a deep sense of insecurity and low self esteem. They always carry the fear of loosing the guy and that is why they get ready to do anything to please him.

Other than this the peer pressure for alcohol and drugs also play a role in the increasing sex among the teenagers. The intoxication of drugs or alcohol may get the girls involved into sex who otherwise would not have been ready for it. Depression among the teenagers at this age is very common and many a times they are wrongly informed that they would feel good if they try their hand on it. Since at such age they are not well equipped with the information about safe sex, they end up complicating their life by getting pregnant.

Furthermore, sexual abuse is also one of the important factors contributing to teenage pregnancy. Rape as a sexual abuse has a deeper impact on the girl's life, who experiences the abuse of unwanted and forced sex. Pregnancy resulting from such instances is even more painful and shameful for them. It is observed that if a young girl has sex with a man elder to her age, she is more likely to get pregnant than the one who has sex with the guy of similar age.

Looking into the above reasons behind the increased pregnancy among the adolescent girls, we have to look within us as parents and the adult members of the society, and think of ways we can contribute to reduce this evil. Rather that blaming the young girls, it is important to analyze who the real culprit is. Providing a good and healthy environment to our children at home, spending quality time with them can reduce the risk to a significant level. It is important to give our children good molar values and self confidence. The social stigma like alcoholism and drug abuses should also be removed from the society. Sex education and awareness about the use of contraceptives should be provided to the teenagers. It is our duty to provide our children a healthy and safe world to live into so that they do not become the victim such incidents.