21.4

Study Notes

Teen Pregnancy and Parenthood

Preventing Pregnancy

The most effective method of preventing pregnancy is sexual abstinence or refraining from sexual activity.
Other methods of contraception include:
- Birth control implant (less than 1 pregnancy per 100 females)
- IUD (less than 1 pregnancy per 100 females)
- Sterilization (less than 1 pregnancy per 100 females)
- Birth control shot (6 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Birth control patch (9 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Birth control pill (9 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Vaginal ring (9 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Diaphragm (12 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Spermicide (12-24 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) (12-24 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Emergency contraceptive pills (15-25 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Cervical cap (17-23 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Male condom (18 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Female condom (21 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Withdrawal (22 pregnancies per 100 females)
- Spermicides (28 pregnancies per 100 females)

Options if Pregnancy Occurs

If pregnancy occurs, people have several options:
- Give birth to and raise the baby
- Place the child for adoption
- Seek support and counseling from family members, friends, and trusted adults

Teen Parenthood

Teen parenthood involves a teen raising a child independently or with the other parent.
Benefits of legal fatherhood include:
- Ability to make decisions about the child's life
- Legal visitation with the child
- Knowledge of the child's health and access to school records
- Right to be listed on the child's birth certificate
- Ability to seek sole custody if the parents break up or the other parent passes away
Mother can receive:
- Financial support
- Support payments
- Childcare assistance
- Insurance for the child through the legal father's work
Benefits of both parents include:
- Knowledge of both parents and family origins
- Security, medical, and disability benefits from the father's medical history
- Legal and financial support from both parents
- Property from both parents

Unmarried Parents

Unmarried parents must work out who has custody of the child.
Custody options include:
- Sole custody: one parent has legal rights and responsibilities to care for the child
- Joint custody: both parents have legal rights and responsibilities to care for the child
Noncustodial parent must contribute financially to support the child

Shared Parenting

Shared parenting or joint custody requires:
- Respect for each other, the child, and those helping with childcare
- Effective communication
- Avoiding disputes and arguing in front of the child
- Listening to and understanding each other
- Sharing information about the child's well-being
- Asking for help when needed
- Being reliable and following through on promises and commitments

Risk Factors and Protective Factors

Risk factors for teen pregnancy:
- Limited knowledge of reproductive health and contraception
- Parent who had a child before the age of 20
- Living in a home with frequent family conflict
- Unprotected sexual activity
- Use of alcohol and drugs
- Low self-esteem
Protective factors:
- Discussions with parents, guardians, and healthcare professionals about contraception
- Parental or guardian support and a healthy family dynamic
- Accurate knowledge of reproductive health through valid resources
- Continuous abstinence

Challenges of Teen Pregnancy and Parenthood

Physical challenges:
- Death within the first year of life
- Low birthweight
- Dependence on addictive substances
- Infections
- Slow growth
Social and emotional challenges:
- Issues with partner, friends, and family
- Resentment from parents that harms the child's social and emotional health
Economic challenges:
- Financial strain to pay for food, clothing, housing, childcare, and education for the child

Resources for Teen Parents and Families

Resources for teen parents include:
- Local pregnancy and parenting support groups
- Government assistance programs
- Community organizations
- Teen pregnancy support groups
- Health care providers
- Adoption agencies
- Foster care agencies

Description

This quiz covers the benefits of waiting until adulthood to become a parent, methods of preventing pregnancy, and the challenges of teen pregnancy. It also assesses the effectiveness of different methods of preventing pregnancy and describes the options available if an unplanned pregnancy occurs.