At no point in our modern history as a nation have we had babies being born to teenagers at the alarming rate we have at this present day. Even though studies show a decline from 2008 to 2010, the United States teenage pregnancy rate is nine times higher compared to 13 developing countries.

The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the western industrialized world. More than 46% of high school students are sexually active. Teen pregnancy is an epidemic that is sweeping the nation at an alarming rate. 34% of American women become pregnant before the age of twenty.

            The rise in teen pregnancy is directly linked to the over-exposure of sex that teens face from the onslaught of media that promotes and condones irresponsible behavior amongst youth. Pop Music, reality television, and provocative music videos, negatively influence many teens to prematurely engage in sexual activity before their minds and bodies have fully developed.

Studies have shown that adolescents who have children at a young age are at a higher risk of death for both the mother and the infant during labor. Other risks that may occur during labor that may cause problems for the infant include placenta previa, pregnancy-induced hypertension, delivery significant, anemia, and toxemia. Infants are 2-3 times more likely to be born premature.

Many teens become sexually active without fully understanding the risks or consequences. Teenagers are not fully developed mentally and most of the times do not have a job to support himself or herself or a small child. Most teens do not have the mentality to handle the stress that comes with raising a child.

Teen parents are less likely to graduate from high school and attend college. The reality is that only about 1.5% of teen mothers get college degrees while more than 80% of teen mothers end up on welfare or some other form of government assistance.

Not only do the parents have a hard time but also so do the children that are born to young mothers. Children born to teens are at greater risk of abuse and neglect. Mothers who have children at a young age have a higher chance of their daughters having children in their teens and their sons to likely end up in jail.

The effects of having a child are more then just physical they are also psychological. Young mothers deal with depression and are often overwhelmed. Ruth James, a seventeen year-old mother claims, “Its not so hard for me because I have a lot of help but I understand the struggle that other mothers face.” Some people are not as fortunate. When asked how hard it is managing school, working, and taking care of the child she said, “I don’t have time for anything. It’s so hard even with the help of my mom. I just wish I had more time to do the things I really want to do.”

Having a child is not the only risk involved with having sex as a teenager. There are the possibilities of catching an STD (sexually transmitted disease) such as Herpes, Genital Warts, Chlamydia, and many more. According to current research, 35% of sexually active teens don’t use any protection. Every year, 19 million STDs are caught and more then half are acquired by people ages 15-24. This is one of the biggest problems that sexually active teens are facing. About five thousand teens are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS a year and the number increases every year.

All penalties can be avoided by staying abstinent. Abstinence (no sex at all) is the only way to prevent pregnancy and to keep your body clear of all STDs. Teens do not have to rush to grow up.  Enjoy your youth and your innocence. Adults are often heard saying they wish they were a teen again.