Although statistics have shown a favourable decline in teenage pregnancy cases over the last quarter century, the number of teenage women who become pregnant is still alarmingly high. It is import

Since merely relying on prevention of teenage pregnancy is not always practical, it is necessary to look at what can be done to improve the prospects for children born to poor, single teenage parents. Some early-intervention programs like the Comprehensive Child Development Program and New Chance provide education and job skills training and well as day care for families in need (Mack, 1997). In theory, these programs seem ideal, but they are criticized as being "less interested in producing good parents than in producing economically viable parents" as it is alleged that they keep parents from much needed interaction with their children (Mack, 1997). The consequence of this is that they "tend to relegate infants and toddlers who are greedy for love, attention, and engaged and experienced hands-on parenting to the doubtful comforts of institutional affection" (Mack, 1997). A better suggestion, noted by Mack, would be something similar to that of the South Carolina's Resource Mothers program (1997). This program connects pregnant teenagers with experienced mothers in their areas and invites them to discuss parenting issues (Mack, 1997). This program demonstrated an improvement in the health of children born to teenage mothers (Mack, 1997). Advice from real mothers is much less intimidating and therefore more beneficial than advice from an expert. Because mothers continue to be viewed as the primary parents, fathers continue to receive fewer services than mothers. It is proposed that organizations re-evaluate their commitment to young fathers, and "develop opportunities for them to become involved with and act in the best interests of their children" (Mazza, 2002). Mazza believes this will reduce the burden of caring for children by society, lower crime rates, and improve all facets of their lives (2002).

Because of the societal implications of adolescent pregnancy, many have studied ways in which to reduce the incidence of children born to young parents. One such intervention program is "Baby Think It Over," which uses role-playing in order to change adolescent attitudes toward teenage pregnancy and teenage parenting (Out & Lafreniere, 2001). By "encouraging teens to separate sexual acts from love will we enable them to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases" (Out & Lafreniere, 2001). In this study, teenagers were given infant simulators to help them role-play parental duties. It was believed that this study would "encourage teens to acknowledge their personal vulnerability to an unplanned pregnancy as well as provide them with some insight into…adolescent parenting" (Out & Lafreniere, 2001). Their hypothesis was supported as they found that after participating in the study, those adolescents involved in role-playing were more likely to personal risk than those who did not use role-playing. Less than a quarter of participants in this study were male which is not surprising because very few programs provided to adolescents focus on fathers. Adolescent males seem to be only offered information about the prevention of pregnancy and not programs of intervention or parenting classes. It is important that society not overlook fathers as it should be encouraged that they become an integral part in the parenting process.

Although teenage pregnancy rates have dropped over past years, new cases emerge with each coming year. In an analysis of factors attributed to this rate, we are better able to understand why teenagers are becoming pregnant and are therefore better equipped in finding solutions. Certain methods of prevention prove more favourable than others, and intervention programs have shown differing effects. But what is most notable is that these m

Some topics in this essay:
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