Why is the teen pregnancy rate so high in the U.S.?

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Why Teen Pregnancy Is High In U.S
Teen pregnancy has been a major concern over the past decades. Although the number has declined in the recent years, the United States still lags in containing the issue. According to Darroch, Singh, and Frost, U.S records the highest number of teen pregnancies among the five leading developed countries (1). One out of every four teen girls aged between 15-19 years is likely to get pregnant. Despite the country having a high per capita income and equal industrialization as the other four countries, it differs in the quality of health care services offered to teenagers, social support and how they address the issue of sexuality and attitudes in adolescents. According to reports, teens in the U.S are likely to give birth four times higher than those in Germany or Norway, and two and a half times compared to those of Canada. Teen pregnancy varies across different states of U.S. Teenagers in Mississippi are four times likely to give birth than teenagers living in New Hampshire. This paper seeks to find reasons as to why teen pregnancy remains high in the United States.
One of the major contributors of teen pregnancy is less favorable socioeconomic factors. Such may include low education level, low-income level, single parent family setups, being black or Hispanic, and living in unequal society. These factors lead young teens to get pregnant at high rates. Essentially, this happens when they have low self-esteem emanating from low economic status or social pressures.

Thia drives them to make choices that suit their short-term satisfaction. Teen women with low socioeconomic status have a clear pattern of teenage fertility across the US. An adolescent whose mother has attained a college-level education is much likely to delay the age of pregnancy than teens whose parents are not educated. Further, young women who are in the highest class categories are 5 percent more likely to get pregnant than those in the lower economic classes. According to Kearney and Levine, teenage girls from regions with higher social inequality opt to carry their pregnancy to term while those from the state with uniform economic statuses mostly seek an abortion (156). This indicates that both the social structure, economic status and the geographic variation are major promoters of teen pregnancies. This is because America is a cosmopolitan state will different classes and races. Further, hopelessness and social marginalization lead the young people to early sex and at times prostitution.
Another factor that contributes to the high teen pregnancy in the U.S is the attitude towards contraceptive use. Teens in the U.S have little knowledge of contraceptive methods. Some fear the side effects while a group of them are concerned about the level of confidentiality and the extent to which their parents may support or oppose their use. The efficiency of family planning rests on how well and consistent they are used. This may be determined by the adolescent motivation to delay childbearing age which is substantially attributed to educational, job engagement and the social support offered to the teenagers (Frick 16). Some teens are reluctant to acknowledge their sexual behaviors or are shy to express themselves to the parents and partners regarding the use of protections. Up to date, the United States is yet to make contraceptive services and supplies free and teen friendly.
The high number of pregnancies is also due to lack of early childhood education on issues related to sex and sexuality. It is not until puberty that such programs are introduced into the curriculum. At this age, the teenagers not only have to deal with their curiosity that is naturally driven by the desire to learn about their bodies, but also the sexual urges they experience at that stage. Some states advocate for abstinence-only programs while some use education and improved accessibility to contraceptives. Providing information about contraception and sexual activity does not contribute to an earlier age of first intercourse. Unlike in the US, in states where sex education is allowed, the parent has an obligation to either educate their children on sex matters or allow them to attend preset programs. At least four states require the consent of the parent before a child can attend such lessons meaning that the parent is involved in safeguarding their children’s sexuality (“State Policies on Sex Education in Schools”).
In conclusion, adolescent pregnancies in U.S remain high despite the considerable decrease in the past decade. The socioeconomic strain is the major contributor where the teen has no hope for a better future hence opt for early childbirth and remain unmarried. Hence, there is need to improve the life opportunities for adolescents with health disparities. Most teens in the United States do not seek abortion which makes childbearing to remain high. Teens, however, should be encouraged to delay any indulgence in sexual activity until they are ready. They should be taught the physical, emotional, and financial effects that come with pregnancies. With proper education, counseling and cooperation between the parent and the child, teen pregnancies can be eliminated in the US.

Works Cited
Darroch, Jacqueline E., Susheela Singh, and Jennifer J. Frost. “Differences In Teenage Pregnancy Rates Among Five Developed Countries: The Roles Of Sexual Activity And Contraceptive Use.” Guttmacher Institute. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 Dec. 2016. Frick, Lisa. Teen Pregnancy And Parenting. 1st ed. Detroit: Greenhaven Press/Thomson Gale, 2007. Print.
Kearney, Melissa S and Phillip B Levine. “Why Is The Teen Birth Rate In The United States So High And Why Does It Matter?”. Journal of Economic Perspectives 26.2 (2012): 141-166. Web.
“State Policies On Sex Education In Schools.” Ncsl.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 Dec. 2016.