Health Journal Series: Be Safe. Be Smart.

Teen pregnancy has become more and more radical each year. “In 2013, a total of 273,105 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years.”Teenagers have been having unprotected sex and putting themselves at risk for pregnancy. Some teenagers are ignorant and do not know about safe sex. Others are foolish and have it regardless of the consequences. The real issue, how they plan to raise the baby they brought into the world.

A prime example of the effects of teen pregnancy is 16 and Pregnant. It is a show that shows the lives of underage girls with babies. Some might argue the show glamorizes pregnancy but truly the young women struggle to be teenagers and raise a child. Some young girls believe that they can raise a baby and continue to have a normal life. But a child is a lifelong commitment that requires a lot of attention and money.

It is important that teenagers understand how important safe sex is. While it is important to practice abstinence, if that is what you believe, it is also important to be well informed. It is better to talk to a parent or trusted adult figure than to risk making a terrible mistake. Teenage mother’s are at risk for health problems and so are the babies.”Risks for the baby include premature birth and a low birth weight.” It is better for some teenage parents to give their baby up for adoption rather than keep it. Another family might be able to better provide for the child.

The consequences of a teen parent’s action affect the baby. A baby deserves a good home with the best life possible. Make sure to be well informed about safe sex and make wise choices. Don't make rash decisions that could ruin your life or a possible child’s.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/>.

"The National Campaign | To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy." The National Campaign | To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Web. 13 Mar. 2016. <http://thenationalcampaign.org/>.

"Teenage Pregnancy: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 13 Mar. 2016. <https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenagepregnancy.html>.