Why Does Poverty Increase the Risk to Teen Pregnancy?

This paper discusses the correlation between poverty and teen pregnancy, exploring how poverty increases the risk of teenage girls becoming pregnant. It looks at contributing factors such as social norms, health access, economic stability, and education levels in low-income communities. These factors are often seen in lower-income areas and can lead to a higher rate of teen pregnancy. The paper also examines how low-income families may be more likely to lack resources for contraception or awareness of sexual health topics like contraception use, leading to an increase in teen pregnancies. Additionally, it considers cultural influences on decision-making related to sexuality that young people in vulnerable populations may face which can lead them to engage in risky behaviors with increased likelihood of resulting in unintended pregnancies.

Teen pregnancy and poverty are inextricably linked, and the two often reinforce each other. Low-income girls are typically less likely to have access to reliable sexual health information and contraception, meaning they are more at risk of unintended pregnancies as a result of inadequate knowledge or lack of resources. In addition, poverty can limit teens’ educational opportunities and career options, so if an unintended pregnancy does occur, these young women may be unable to support themselves or their child without assistance from government programs. Furthermore, living in poverty can also mean living in areas that lack quality healthcare access, including access to reproductive care services such as contraception counseling or abortion services. These factors all contribute to a greater risk of teen pregnancy for those living in poverty.