2. How common is it?
• “In 2011, a total of 329,797 babies
were born to women aged 15–19
years, for a live birth rate of 31.3
per 1,000 women in this age
group.” (Center for Disease
Control)
• These numbers are dropping,
however, teen pregnancies occur
every day.
3. Problems Associated
with this Risk Factor
• Higher chances of premature births. “The children of
adolescents are more likely to be born prematurely and
50% more likely to be low-birth weight babies.” (CDC)
• Children who are born from adolescent parents tend to
have more developmental problems.
• General health problems… “According to parents’ reports
of their children’s health status, 60% of children born to
non-teen mothers were rated in “excellent” health,
compared to 38% for children born to the youngest
adolescent mothers.” (CDC)
4. Problems Cont…
• These children are twice as likely to suffer from child
abuse and neglect. (as well as being placed in foster
homes)
• “The children of adolescent mothers are at higher risk for
problems in affect regulation, including both flattened
affect and aggressive behavior.” (CDC)
• Studies show that these children generally perform worse
cognitively than children born from adult parents.
• They are more likely to drop out of high school when they
are teenagers.
• They are also likely to repeat the cycle of teen pregnancy.
5. Here is an informative video about the
harsh realities of teen pregnancy.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=F_32noSYLuw
6. A Common Assumption
• Although statistics may disagree, I
do fell that some teen parents do end
up giving their child a wonderful
life. I think it is vital we do not
overlook all teen parents just
because of statistics. It seems as
though the more financially stable
and the more support the teen
parents have, the better the child's
life will turn out. If they can
establish this at a young age, they
can provide a great childhood for
their offspring regardless of whether
they are a teen or not.
7. The Cycle
• Society is absolutely trying to break the cycle of teen pregnancy.
When you look at the rates of how many children from teen
parents end up being teen parents themselves, the numbers are
astonishing. In todays times, technology is helping to break this
cycle. Many movies, reality television shows and news reports
are shifting the opinions of teen pregnancy. The statistics are
being revealed and teens are realizing how important
contraceptives and graduation from high school really can be.
The workplace is becoming more demanding so high school
teenagers know that they must graduate in order to get a job. I
think we will continue to see teen pregnancy rates drop.
8. Jackson County Parenting
Education
Parenting Now
673 Market Street
Medford, OR 97504
Telephone: 541‐842‐2593
Fax: 541‐776‐5125
Website: www.jobcouncil.org
Parenting now is a great
resource to find the childcare
that is right for you.
EPHS Teen Parenting Program
Cristi Remick
PO Box 198
203 North Platt
Eagle Point, OR 97524
Telephone: 541‐830‐6720
www.eaglepnt.k12.or.us
Eagle Point High school has a
great teen parenting program
which is open to all teen in the
area.
North Medford Teen
Parenting Program
1900 North Keene Way Drive
Medford, OR 97504
Phone: (541) 842-3670
This program provides classes,
transportation and childcare
for teen parents while they are
seeking their high school
diploma.
9. How Can We Help As
Teachers?
• First off, check out this
organization…http://www.parentsasteachers.org/
• They have programs dedicated to the development of children and
specialize in teaching students who are born from teen parents. I
found a lot of great resources through this organization that I feel
would benefit teachers in todays society.
10. More tips…
• Make the classroom environment a
community. When children come from
young families, they may not be
receiving the support they need while in
school. Therefore, we have to provide
support and a safe space for the child to
learn.
• Talk to the parents. The best way to get
to know a child, is to get to know their
parents. Find out the needs of the student
and make the changes necessary to
provide support for their learning.
• Do not make assumptions. Just because
a child has teen parents, does not mean
they are going to have educational or
behavioral problems. However, do be
ready to change things if these problems
do come about.
