Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Topic: Teenage Pregnancy in The Philippines
Topic: Teenage Pregnancy in The Philippines
Topic: Teenage Pregnancy in The Philippines
DEVTMAN A52
nowadays. According to the UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities)
global statistics, worldwide, there are over 16 million women aged 15-19 years old who
give birth each year, which is 11% of the total births. 95% of these come from middle to
only a health issue but a development issue as well. (2013). Teenage pregnancy may
seem as a minor issue but it poses problems and threats not only to the teenage
mother, but to the society as well, thus this issue must be solved and be given notice.
One of the goals in the MDGs includes improving maternal health. Adolescents
who give birth may deal with health risks that may lead to deaths and other disabilities.
In the Philippines, between the years 2000-2010 maternal deaths doubled from 5% to
10%. Not only are the maternal deaths but as well as teenage pregnancy rates. The
country’s numbers continue to increase, while other countries’ decline. (Rahman, 2016).
According to the UN, Philippines ranked first in the regional list of Asian countries with
Authority, the final results of the 2013 National Demographic and Health survey show
that one in ten Filipinas aged 15-19 years old are already teenage mothers. Of which
2% have their first born while the other 8% are in their second or more. Data also
revealed that every hour, teenage mothers are delivering approximately 24 babies. (Van
In the 2013 National Demographic and Health survey it is stated that there is higher
incidence to those with less education. Prevalence towards women with only
elementary education is 44% versus 21% of those with college education. On the 2013
study on Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS), about 35.6% of college graduates
think that their knowledge on sex is adequate. YAFS coordinator director of the
University of the Philippines Population Institute, Josefina Natividad also states that
there is a limited access to sex education. Less than 10% of the youth discussed sex at
home while growing up. About 80% do not use contraceptives or protection when
The 2013 National Demographic and Health survey also showed that 37% of
teenage mothers belong to poorest quintile while 13% belong to the wealthiest quintile.
activities. Last 2013, 32% of the youth are sexually active. May-I Fabros from
that “Youth today are born in a space where sex is so prevalent.” (2015). Survey shows
that 19% of the youth aged 18 to 24 had their first sexual activity before the age of 18.
Influences such as peer pressure and alcohol also contribute to the increasing number
As stated earlier, there are dangers that come with teenage pregnancy. Maternal
rate.
Teenage mothers are most likely to encounter health risks such as anemia, high
blood pressure, hypertension, preenclampsia, etc. They are also more likely to suffer
mothers come from the poor households, there is a lack in health care, especially in pre
and postnatal care. Teenage pregnancy may also harm the baby. According to the
World Health Organization, the probability of having stillborn babies or deaths during the
first week of life born to mothers aged 20 and below are 50% higher than those born to
21 years old and above. Thus, babies born to teenage mothers are more prone to
having complications.
Studies also show that teenage mothers are more likely to dropout from school.
Thus, most of them get delayed and have fewer opportunities to get a job and earn
income.
can be seen that the issue is pressing. Considering that most numbers come from the
bottom of the pyramid, it increases poverty incidence: first, since they come from poor
families, it will be hard for them to sustain the needs of their child thus, increasing infant
mortality rate as well; and second, it will be hard for them to look for jobs since, as
teenage pregnancy is expected to be not as rampant. However, the problem lie with the
media, which showcases sex – may it be in magazines, TV shows, movies, songs, etc.
as if there’s nothing wrong with it. The culture nowadays is that sex is a “normal” thing
for teenagers, which explains why the number of youth engaging in premarital sex or
any other sexual activities continues to increase. Given this culture, it can be said that it
is almost unavoidable. However, education could prevent all this. As stated earlier, one
an interview with a teenage mother, she said that she and her boyfriend does not use
condoms because they do not know how to use it, stating “Masakit ata ‘yun?” There
should be safe sex education given to the youth especially to those in poorer sectors.
However, sex education must be given in the right age or should be age appropriate.
For example, information given to 11-13 year olds must be appropriate to their age.
Given the statistics, the Reproductive Health Bill of the Philippines should focus
on giving education and promoting the use of contraceptives among the youth to
prevent teenage pregnancy. The sexual drive among the youth today cannot be
stopped, thus use of contraceptives must be promoted well. However, it is not available
for everyone especially to those who are poor since they cannot afford it. Also, not
everyone is aware that such bill exists. In one of the interviews, when asked about the
We cannot solely blame the youth or the teenage mothers for their actions. Yes,
they should take part in the responsibility, because somehow it was their choice.
However, lack of education and poverty is still to blame. By simply spreading awareness
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/54282-young-poor-pregnant-ph
Rodriguez, F. (2015). Kids having kids: when choice is not an option. Retrieved from
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/gender-issues/83453-early-pregnancy-
philippines
sexual-reproductive-health-unfpa
Morales, I. (2013). Number of Pinay teenagers giving birth up by more than 60 percent
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316613/lifestyle/healthandwellness/num
ber-of-pinay-teenagers-giving-birth-up-by-more-than-60-percent-in-10-years-3rd-
highest-in-asean
publications/ASRH/MDG5_and_ASRH.pdf
pdf/ADOLESCENT%20PREGNANCY_UNFPA.pdf
World Health Organization. (n.d). Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.
Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/maternal/adolescent_pregn
ancy/en/
Rahman, S. (2016). Philippine teen pregnancy rates defy trend. Retrieved from
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/philippine-teen-pregnancy-rates-defy-
trend-160228181232852.html
Van der Hor, C. (2014). Teenage pregnancy among today’s Filipino youth. Retrieved
from http://opinion.inquirer.net/74517/teenage-pregnancy-among-todays-filipino-
youth