Throughout the history of the world, teen pregnancy was the norm, until the modern era. Each year in this country, almost one million teenagers become pregnant and approximately four in ten girls become pregnant at least once before reaching the age of 20. In 1960, a time of marriage at younger ages and more restricted sexuality, the percentage of unmarried teen births was only 15 %. Since then, the increase in out-of-wedlock births has been staggering. Today, 80 % of teen pregnancies and 75 % of teen births are to unmarried girls.
             Although teen pregnancy rates have declined steadily in the United States, teens are having more sex at earlier ages without the use of contraceptives. According to The Westside Pregnancy Resource Center (www.w-cpc.org), there are many reasons teens give for having sex: which range from peer pressure to rebellion and many in-between. Whatever the reason may be for premature sex, the risks involved are all the same.
             Less then 1/3 of teens that begin families before age 18, ever complete high school and the great majority remains single mothers without fathers to help. Teenage fathers have an increased rate of delinquent behaviors, including alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential. Many end up in prisons or other types of institutions, which prevent them from being actively involved in their child's life.
             Teen births create health risks for the baby. One of these risks includes low birth weight; which is associated with infant and childhood disorders and a high rate of infant mortality. Low birth weight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed; which can result in complications such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems. Teenage mothers tend to have poor eating habits and are less likely to take recommended daily multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition du
             ...