by Empress Djata

Created on: July 12, 2009

All across America, teenage pregnancy is an infection crippling many youths from fully experiencing the beauty and enjoyment of a childhood, prior to tossing them into the realm of adulthood. Ill informed, moreover unprepared for what parenthood offers them; in turn we have babies having babies. The South Bronx in New York City is one of those areas with a high rate of teen pregnancies. There are no stigmas attached to having an infant in this area. It tends to be considered a way of life and a sign of growth for many young girls, while many of these teenage fathers walk away from their responsibilities. Yet these children are unaware of what is involved in raising a child.

Our society is responsible for the education of their people. This includes their children. Teen pregnancy is a constant health and policy disquiet for the public, because these mothers are at risk of unhealthy births, limited education, fewer economic resources and public costs of $9.1 billion annually. The highest rates have come from African American and Hispanic females between the ages of ten and nineteen. The South Bronx has double the national average for teen pregnancy. Poverty, insufficient jobs and education are the main causes for this problem.

Producing a program utilizing an infant stimulator doll, plus a structured curriculum designed to teach these youth what having a family and taking care of a household embodies is what our children need. The latest models offer the most realistic infant care experience possible. The baby is designed to look, feel, sound, and respond like a real infant. This experiential learning provides as a truly effective teaching tool. Real world experience like on the job training. The youth will have a fulltime job that will consist of their academic classes, which they will be paid for in school bucks. During this time they will participate in the yearlong program, while being observed by staff members and parents.

Teen pregnancy is a prevalent problem all over the United States, which is causing many teenagers to dropout of school, primarily among the girls. Many schools that were designed for pregnant teenage girls were closed because of their low attendance rate. Furthermore, it causes a dependency on the welfare system and many young parents lack the adequate parenting skills to attend to their child. According to Braun and the National Vital Statistics Report 1999-2000, predominantly eighty-five percent of teenage pregnancies are unplanned

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