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Social Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy

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1. Introduction
1.1 Background
Teenage pregnancy is the pregnancy of a young woman, usually between the age of 13 and 19 years. The rate of teenage pregnancy is among the highest in the world. Teenage pregnancy is a major problem in South African rural areas and townships that may impact the future of a young woman. Children as young as 12 years fall pregnant due to social problems in townships. Social problems include parental guidance, access to government grant, peer pressure, substance abuse, poverty, job marketing and education. Most teenagers do not have enough information on sexuality and contraceptives. Teenagers engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse lead to unwanted teenage pregnancy which is a serious social and health problem. About half of all South African teenagers aged between 15 and 19 reported having had sex. Teenage pregnancy is considered as one major distraction to the success of many girls’ education. Teenage pregnancy is a social problem with biological and physical consequences. Sexual education is now part of the learning area ‘Life Skills” in schools, but teenagers still fall pregnant because they are not open and lack transparency when discussing sexual matters. Teenage pregnancy has always been a medical problem no matter how many young girls are educated about sexual intercourse, condoms, contraceptives and HIV/AIDS.
1.2 Problem Statement
How does teenage pregnancy affect pregnant teenagers and their local communities?
1.3 Hypothesis
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