Teen Pregnancy Facts and Individual Antecedents of Teen Pregnancy - Part 5
Teen Pregnancy - Individual Antecedents - Part 5
The male adolescent has in the past and still is under-represented in the research on teen pregnancy. Meyer’s asserts that because research indicates that females favor pregnancy prevention more than males, it is the male adolescent’s behaviours that need to be changed. He stresses that the focus should not solely be on the female as this reinforces the stereotype that teen pregnancy is the result of the girl’s actions and therefore her responsibility. (Meyer, 1991).
Much of the research discussed in this report does not make a distinction to the gender of the adolescent. Sometimes the term “adolescent” may refer to both males and females but other times the female is clearly implicated. Creating gender categories would seem relevant with an issue concerning reproduction. Meyers suggests that research is necessary to understand why the male does not share responsibility in teen pregnancy and gender needs to be categorized. Allowing the male, especially the white male, to be ignored in the research may unintentionally perpetuate the problem of teen pregnancy. (Meyer, 1991).
The antecedents to teen pregnancy are important to research further in order for interventions and prevention to be more effective. The interactions of the antecedents can be complex and much still needs to be discovered. The practice and policy of prevention of adolescent pregnancies can only benefit from further research. Canada has clearly taken steps to prevent teen pregnancy as the rates have decreased over the past decades. More can however be done to provide a better environment for teens to grow up in. More education and information on sex and relationships needs to be provided, as well as access to health services. A unique Canadian approach to teen pregnancy that takes into account diverse cultural backgrounds is also necessary.
