What are the psycho-social effects of teenage pregnancy?

Answer 1

It can be difficult to untangle the psychosocial causes of teen pregnancy from its effects, because many of them are related and cyclical. For instance, those in lower socioeconomic populations tend to be less concerned about whether they get pregnant as teens--and when they do, they tend to be trapped in that low socioeconomic status because they often drop out of education and are limited in employment. This is true of teen fathers as well as teen mothers.

In addition, girls with low self-esteem are more likely to become pregnant as teens, and even though some may think having a baby is going to improve their self-esteem, they inevitably find that it doesn't. Many are not prepared for the stress and responsibility and become psychologically overwhelmed by it. This only reinforces self-esteem problems.

Other psychosocial effects can be similarly cyclical and interwoven. This is why teen pregnancy is such a difficult social problem to address.

Answer 2

As more than half of teenage pregnancies carry on to birth, many pregnant teenage girls become teenage mothers, and are often unprepared for that life change or the associated responsibilities. They also often not emotionally prepared for childbirth or the reality of being a mother, and can experience depression, anxiety, resentment, and feelings of failure.

The social stigma associated with teen pregnancy and motherhood can also be a factor in how pregnancy affects the psychology of the young girl. These teens may deal with feelings of shame, guilt, anger, denial, and depression as a result. The social stigma also contributes to the likelihood of a teenage mother to withdraw from society as to avoid judgment. Teenage mothers often experience a decrease in self-esteem as well.