Teenage Pregnancy as Social and National Issue in the US Coursework

Teenage Pregnancy as Social and National Issue in the US - Coursework Example In the United States, the high rate of adolescent pregnancy has been a cause of social concern for over two decades. The number of teenagers who get pregnant and who become single mothers has been very alarming. The society has recognized it as a problem that has to be dealt with effectively (Armstrong, 2001). To understand this problem, it is necessary to take a step back and see the various reasons as well as the high-risk groups that are involved in the issue. This study explores how teenage pregnancy is a social and national issue in the United States. It also tries to analyze the various reasons that are responsible for adolescent pregnancies in the United States. It is understood that teenage pregnancy also has consequences and implications not only on the individual but on the society as well as the government. This research also tries to understand the various implications that teenage pregnancy has on many different levels.   Furthermore, it also takes a look at the variou s programs that have been undertaken to prevent teenage pregnancy and the various steps adopted to support teenage mothers and their children so that they are assimilated in the society.After the issue of teenage pregnancy came into scrutiny, many research agencies, as well as independent bodies, tried to understand the gravity through empirical research (Moncola et al, 2003). The results of the research were staggering because it was revealed that the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy among the developed nations of the world. The research done by UNICEF regarding this matter revealed that the rate of adolescent pregnancy is almost double that of Great Britain and 10 times that of Japan. Below is a comparison chart that shows how the United States ranks the highest among the countries that are a part of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).