Address worries of teenage girls to avoid unintended pregnancies

 Peer pressure, social or famil­ial pressures, and restricted access to and understanding about contraception are some of the issues that teenage girls deal with which can lead to unwanted pregnancies.

Additionally important are socioeconomic issues like pov­erty and a lack of educational opportunity. Some girls may also be subjected to sexual violence or coercion, which can result in pregnancy.

Despite the fact that teenage girls are vulnerable and lack cor­rect information on these topics some parents are not prepared to teach their teenagers about sexual health, contraception, and the dangers of getting pregnant too young.

Teenage pregnancy is more likely when there is a lack of pa­rental direction and social pres­sure to be married.

Additionally, some cultures may have conventions that glam­orise adolescent motherhood or prohibit candid conversations about sex and contraception. Even in cases where informa­tion is available these teenage girls may encounter obstacles in obtaining and affording contra­ception.

Unfortunately, some youth have low self-esteem, which can lead to risky behaviours or a fail­ure to prioritise their future aca­demic or professional aspirations, increasing their risk of unplanned pregnancies.

The Spectator therefore agrees with Ms. Helen Korkor Quarcoo, the Chief Superinten­dent of Prisons (CSP) and Head of the Commercial Unit at the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra, that for teenage girls to feel safe, their parents must love and care for them without conditions.

She made the call in an inter­view at a recent conference on “Access to Agency: Empowering women through digital inclusion” in Accra,

The Senior Officer said that the majority of adolescent pregnancies are typically caused by emotional difficulties that lead to teenage girls seeking out affection and love outside of their homes. Teenage pregnancy may be a traumatizing reaction to emotional deprivation, with severe physical and psychological effects on the girl child.

“Some of these teenage children living in the villages and remote areas who are not loved at home usually get brainwashed by false love from some irrespon­sible area boys/men who later impregnate them and run away,” she said.

Since teenage girls may seek affection, attention, or validation through relationships that could result in teenage pregnancies, parents must make sure they pay attention to their emotional needs.

It is worthy to note that every adolescent girl has different obstacles to overcome so parents, especially fathers must help them develop a sense of self-worth in order to boost their emotions of worthlessness.

Teenage girls require commit­ted resources, education, and supportive services to help them deal with these difficult situa­tions.