Pregnant teens have many pressures that may cause them to drop out of high school:

Among pregnant teens, there are some other risk factors that increase the chances that a pregnant teen will drop out:

Low income

Poor academic performance

Lack of support, especially from parents

Speaking English as a second language

Being raised by a single parent

Having a parent who did not finish high school

Pregnant teens who drop out of school have fewer opportunities for themselves, and their children are also less likely to succeed in school or careers. For this reason, it is important to support and encourage pregnant teens in getting their education. In addition to traditional high school, there are also some other options for pregnant teens in some areas:

Special schools for pregnant or parent teens

Tutoring or home school programs to help pregnant teens finish school

Accredited online high school programs

Night school

Getting a GED

Some of the most important things to help pregnant teens finish school are information and support. Teens need someone to tell them about the importance of finishing their education and what options they have to do so. They also need someone to encourage them through the hard times and help them reach their goal. This support can come from a number of sources:

Parents

Teachers

School counselors

Social workers

Peer support groups

The support needs to continue after the baby is born if the teen chooses not to put the baby up for adoption, since it is extremely challenging for teens to meet the demands of school as well as the demands of motherhood. In addition, teens may need help developing their sense of self worth and finding goals for themselves that they can pursue in addition to motherhood, such going to college or trade school to get skills and pursue a career.

Having support from adults who can give them guidance and listen to their concerns as well as peers who can keep them from feeling as socially isolated can help teens avoid dropping out of high school, which gives them and their babies a better chance of success in life. This affects not only the girls and their children, but also society, which pays the cost of teen pregnancy through lowered productivity, higher numbers of people dependant on welfare, and more young people with health or behavior problems. Support should also focus on helping them avoid getting pregnant again.

Many schools find it difficult to find the best way to help pregnant teens, however, because, while they should not punish teens for getting pregnant, they also should not encourage or condone teen pregnancy, such as by having baby showers at school. Also, it’s important that being supportive does not mean taking away academic expectations or challenges. Pregnant teens should still be expected to work hard and get a good education, but some understanding should be exhibited toward their unique challenges, such as the need for child care and the health problems they may experience.

Sources:

Walden University, ConnectEd Issues in Education, “How Many Pregnant Teens Drop Out of High School?” [online]

National Women’s Law Center, “When Girls Don’t Graduate, We All Fail” [online]

Andrea Orr, Edutopia, “Dealing with Pregnant Teens Is a Balancing Act for Schools” [online]

LiveStrong, “Teen Pregnancy Rates in the USA” [online]