Teen Pregnancy in Arizona

Introduction

Teenage pregnancies are considered one of the biggest issues of teenagers in our modern societies. Beside the health problems of both the mother and the baby, there are a number of other factors that lead to societal and social discrepancies. The teen pregnancy rate is measured on the basis of total case of teenage deliveries, abortions and delivered fatal deaths. Such data are obtained only on cases that appeared on the front, there are a number of teenage pregnancies that are either no reported or end up in miscarriages. Data on teenage pregnancies is obtained only through birth or fatal death rate certificates. There are several impacts of teenage pregnancies on the social and economic structure of the society. Financial crises are one of the most critical factors that lead to social discrimination. Teenage mothers are not mature enough to take care of their babies both maternally and financially (Rickel, Pp. 112-124). They are inexperienced and not qualified enough to get a worthy employment, which leads to financial crises that serves as a key to number of issues in the upbringing of a child. Arizona has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in the United States.

Overview of teen pregnancies in Arizona

According to the statistic from Arizona Department of health services, more than 14047 women under the age of 20 became pregnant, and among them, 230 were under the age of 15, in 2008. This rate has been considerably increased since then. Giving a birth is a huge responsibility, no matter in any age. Apart from providing maternal love and affection there is a huge financial burden over the parent for the upbringing of an infant. According to one report by USDA, it will cost around a quarter million dollars for a middleclass family to raise a child up to the age of 17. For teenagers who face pregnancies in Arizona, it is essential to determine the father of their babies. In order to get the financial support payments for the upbringing of the child, it is mandatory that the child should know his or her biological father. Paternity tests are conducted to determine the actual father of the child, it is imperative that an individual might request a court admissible or legal paternity test. These tests are used in the court of law for both or one of the parents seeking child custody, support or social security payments (ACSAP, Pp. 1-6).

Negative outcomes are connected with births deliveries by adolescents in Arizona. The rate of low birth rate was greater in Arizona for females belonging to the age group of 15-19 years, as compared to the mothers of 20-34 age groups. Teens have a greater rate of preterm birth and infant mortality rate, in comparison with older mothers. Around 87% of the teenage pregnancies resulted in a live birth, of the age bracket of 15-19 years, in 2008. Over the past decade, the birth rate of Arizona teen belonging to 15-19 years of age is greater than that ...