Risk Factors There Are Several

¶ … Risk Factors There are several situational risk factors that can lead to teenage pregnancy. In a literature review by Hawkins, Catalano, and Miller (1992), a teen's community, family, educational experiences, as well as personal issues were all found to be risk factors for teen pregnancy. In terms of community situational risk factors, the researchers found that teens from homes experiencing "extreme economic deprivation," or those teens from impoverished homes, had a much higher likelihood of teen pregnancy from those in even slightly higher economically advantaged homes (Hawkins, et al., 1992).

In addition, Hawkins (et al., 1992) found that teens from homes where there was a high family history of teen pregnancy, problems with family management, or family conflict were more likely to become pregnant earlier than their peers. In particular, the researchers noted that teens who were born to teenage parents themselves were nearly 70% more likely than those born to parents over the age of 21 to become pregnant in their teens.

Additionally, the researchers noted, teens of families in conflict were more likely to seek out love and affection in inappropriate ways, often leading to teen pregnancy (Hawkins, et al., 1992). Hawkins (et al., 1992) also found that there were several situational risk factors associated with the teen herself that led to teen pregnancy. First, those teens whose friends actively behaved in early sexual behaviors were more likely to participate in those same behaviors.

In coincidence, teens who participated in early antisocial behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, and negative attitudes were also more likely to participate in early sexual activity (Hawkins, et al., 1992). In addition to the above risk factors, Queensland Health Officials note still further situational risk factors. As noted above, family conflict is a single risk factor, but when combined with early childhood sexual abuse, the likelihood for teen pregnancy is increased another 50% (Queensland Health, 2004). Further, teens whose mother is uneducated, or undereducated, are also more likely to become pregnant.

Finally, those teens from homes where the father is absent are also more likely to experience early pregnancy (Queensland Health, 2004). It is important to note the reasons for concern in term of teen pregnancy, and one strategy to prevention of the problem is the dispersal of such information to teenage females. The children of teens who become pregnant often experience premature birth, low birth weight, increased physical impairment, an increased likelihood of substance abuse, physical abuse, and an increased risk in becoming pregnant early themselves (Queensland Health, 2004).

In addition, pregnant teens themselves are less likely to finish school, experience increased anti-social behaviors, and increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse, which further their risk of further teen pregnancies (Hawkins, et al.,.