The Causes And Effect Of Teenage Pregnancy Among Secodnary Schools
[A Case Study Of Ovia North East Local Government Area Of Edo State]

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

  The number of teenagers given birth each year is staggering. In fact, of the slightly more than 10% of all births worldwide-almost a million are of young mothers-teenagers. Before proceeding forward we will want to know what teenage pregnancy is all about. According to Oxford English Dictionary teenage pregnancy are children between the ages of 13 to 19 that get pregnant. Edoia’s birth rate for adolescents is one of the highest in the world and the prevalence among female adolescents in Edoia of sexual transmitted infections including HIV is climbing rapidly. I an effort to reduce the high pregnancy rate by teenagers, including other problems, Edoia developed a national reproduction health policy in the year 2000 that focuses on preventing risk sexual behaviors during adolescence (national Population commission, Edoia demographic and Health Survey, 1999, Abuja, Edoia the Commission 2000).

In Edoia, pregnancy and mother hood mark the end of school attendance and by 16 years, 21% of female adolescents are either pregnant or have given birth. Teenagers face daily pressure from teachers and peers, they are exposed to relentless influence of TV movies, the music industry and internet etc. Unfortunately, young one are too inexperience to handle the consequences of pregnancy.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS   

This project is to look into the causes of teenage pregnancy as well as its consequences. Millions of children return from school to an empty house become both parents are of the working class, which makes many teenagers have set the stage for teenage pregnancy. Many parents feel that their young ones will be taught sex education in school while the schools have failed to meet that demand. So there is no good foundation of sex education both in school and at home there is also the powerful influence of the media. Teenagers usually spend more time watching the sex and violence of TV and they are more likely to practice these behaviors in real life and have multiple sexual partners. In this computer age, children do not need to have computer in their homes before using one, the use of computer have increased in many countries including Edoia.

And sexual materials of all kind are easily accessible through the internet unsupervised internet may expose teenagers to pornographic and sex chat room, some teenagers are willing to accept sex if they are paid and some adult encourage teens sex by deliberately taking advantage of their being poor. Most parents fail to understand their children, and do not have a close relationship with their children as a result, find it difficult to confide matters to their partners.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY  

 School age girls who become pregnant come from all socio economic classes of all race and all parts of the country. (Rural and Urban). Many teenagers are facing the dilemma of unwanted pregnancy and unwanted parenthood. The society and the nation, and the world in general are affected by it directly or indirectly, and their choices will have significant consequences for the future of their communities, their countries and the rest of the world. The main aim of the project therefore is designed to help any youth facing the dilemma of unwanted pregnancy as well as practical suggestions for adolescents in avoiding the pitfall of being pregnant and becoming parents suddenly.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY  

 The necessity to have teenagers make the right decisions, pick appropriate friends view others with value or importance and become better mothers and fathers. Now that there is much controversy and confusions as regards sex and morals, has made this project very relevant to our moral society to the nation, making (practical suggestions) available to all at the appropriate time become next in priority.