RISKS for the teen mother

Teen mothers are more disadvantaged, on average, than their same-age counterparts.

Teenage pregnancies are often associated with an increased rate of delinquent behaviors including alcohol and substance abuse.

To begin with, majority of them belong to the low income group. Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother, 80 percent of who eventually rely on welfare.

With early termination of formal education come limited employment opportunities. However, they have the responsibility of having to fend for their children before they even ever planned to. In hiring, an employer may lean toward someone without a child versus someone who is already with one just because there are more chances of absences with the latter when her child becomes sick.

They also face greater financial difficulties and marital conflict. With a lower capacity for earning and less emotional maturity, relationships are under more stress for breaking.

Young unmarried mothers also face social stigmas that can have harmful psychological and social impact.