Why are there so many teenage pregnancies?

[Immenseman]

We know there are loads but why do you think there are so many?

• Lack of sex education
• General lack of knowledge
• Nothing better to live for
• Fashion accessory
• "cool" to have a baby

I'm sure you can think of other reasons too. That's just a few from the top of my head. I don't agree with all of them. I'll post what I think once I've seen what a few of you have come up with.

[Bevvie]

Good points Jake.
Well i agree with most of them, also could be peer pressure?

[clueless]

i dont agree with the fashion accessory one or that its cool to have a baby, i dont know anyone who thinks like that! that might just be my area though

i think the binge drinking is a big contribution as you hear lots about teenage pregnancies being from drunken night. also its more acceptable to have an abortion now so teens think its okay as they wouldnt have to suffer the consequences

[GommeInc]

I wouldn't call it a lack of sex education, probably sex education in general. Is it encouraging sex, or just not informing children to not have sex until a suitable age? Is it peer pressure, or pressure from a partner, to prove they love each other? Is it the only way to make money, by raking in benefits? Is it attention? Loads of factors. Are there any statistics that state poor background children have children themselves at younger ages, or is it mixed? Where were the two who conceived the child? Were they drunk at a party? Should the government tackle this using police tactics to make sure underage drinking isn't a factor?

How do other countries tackle the problem? Do what they have to offer have any use in this country?

I personally think most people boasting sex as an amazing thing (and by golly it is !) need a slap.

[Barkseh]

coz lasses wont get abortions when we tell em' to. ***** dykes

[GrandTheftAudio]

You've pointed out the main reasons really.
Some want to have a baby, they don't realise how hard it will be.
They think it won't happen to them.
Too many people end up having sex because they're high or drunk.
Some won't get abortions for whatever reason.

[Immenseman]

I think one of the main factors is they don't realise exactly what it means. They don't really consider they will have to look after their baby pretty much 24/7. However, I don't think there is just one reason but more of numerous reasons integrated together which makes the issue so diverse. For example, at the school my 6th Form is attached too there have been loads of girls giving birth, youngest so far was a year 9 girl who had her baby last year. In year 10 and 11 there have been loads and from what I have been told it's one in 15 girls in that year. They are all from the same friendship group so surely friends must play a part. It's pretty damning but I think it must be true. They see their friend have a baby and all the attention that surrounds them and decide to follow suit.

One girl who has recently had a baby thus no longer in school on a full time basis still comes up EVERY morning, break, lunch and end of school with her baby. She does this to show it off because as always a crowd will surround her "omg thats so cute". I have witnessed this happen (when I actually decide to go in ol and think it's vile. She has basically had this baby to get more attention.

To make things worse, most of them are ugly anyway.

[RedStratocas]

because our teenage years are the peak of our sexual exploration (we're actually biologically supposed to have babies when we're teenagers, its society that says its wrong), and couple that with a lack of education and an anti-authoritative mindset and you get lots of kids who wanna bump uglies.

[Technologic]

because our teenage years are the peak of our sexual exploration (we're actually biologically supposed to have babies when we're teenagers, its society that says its wrong), and couple that with a lack of education and an anti-authoritative mindset and you get lots of kids who wanna bump uglies.

A.k.a it's fun

[e5]

Good points Jake.
Well i agree with most of them, also could be peer pressure?

I agree with yours, Jake and plus peer pressure.

Also some teenages are raped, but don't want to kill what could be a perfectly good baby.

Other things is like they could be tricked in a sense that they want to have a baby when they're really not ready, because teenagers don't quite fully understand everything yet.