For this reason, it is likely for teenagers who got themselves pregnant at a young age to face economic problems after giving birth.
Aside from the socio-economic impact on mother, teenage pregnancy could also affect the health of the mother since unprotected sexual activity increases their risk of becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia (Manlove, Terry-Humen and Papillo).
Almost all teenage women who become pregnant at an early age are not mentally, physically, psychologically, and financially prepared for this kind of responsibility. Because of mental and emotional stress associated with teenage pregnancy, the overall well-being of the child becomes affected. Other than having a higher tendency for premature and low birth weight (Martin, Hamilton and Sutton), children born out of wedlock are most likely to suffer from physical and emotional abuse as they grow older (Hoffman).
Having a teen pregnancy at home can influence younger children. Since the family members had no other choice but to accept the situation as it is, incidence of teenage pregnancy would gradually become an accepted behavior and family pattern (East and Jacobson, The younger siblings of teenage mothers: a follow-up of their pregnancy risk. East). In line with this, the negative socio-economic and health consequences associated with teenage pregnancy become a long-term cycle.
Since teenage pregnancy could negatively affect young women’s future socio-economic status, work opportunities, the mother’s health, the well-being of the child, and the psychological and emotional condition of the family members, teenage pregnancy should be prevented by providing the students with early sex education.