Influence of parental guidance on teenage pregnancy among female adolescent secondary school student in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

IntroductionTeenage pregnancy has become a growing concern and therefore various causes of teenage pregnancy had become identified. Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy that occurs in young girls, in the age range of 13 to 17 years old. According to Jackie, (2012) low self-esteem is among the causes of teenage pregnancy. Children who are not shown love and affection from parents will seek it out with their peer group. Many adolescents report pressures from their peers to have sex before they are married. The transition from childhood to adolescent may cause unstable emotions to some teenagers, and this may cause complex psychological breakdown in teenagers. Complex psychological breakdown can result in immature and irresponsible behavior which in turn may be another cause of teenage pregnancy. According to Count (2010), adolescent/teenagers mark the onset of sexual maturity. It is a period of time for them to show interest to the opposite sex and curiosity about much topics of sex. Ideir (2011) said high rates of teenage pregnancy are associated with education, income levels, and childhood environment, and negligence of birth control.Parents have a very important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or not, they are powerful and they can use this in directing their children. But Life in a modern society has a big role to play in the occurrences of teenage pregnancies. Gone are those days when parents were so dedicated in the raising up their children, that they were so much interested in protecting their children from disgrace and preventing any activity that will destroy their future. Today, the situation is not the same, as many parents dedicate the greater part of their day to finding money to take care of the home. Both the man and the woman have no time in taken care of the children. The only way they believe the child needs to be taken care of, is being able to provide for the child financially. For parents who are not able to provide financial support for their children, they don't provide emotional and sex education to their children. Parents feel that giving children sex education at an early age is not proper therefore leaving the children at the mercy of other teenagers to advice. Parents leave the teaching of sex education and morals to the teachers in the teenager's schools which is not appropriate. This make the children fall into hands of men who have difficulty in controlling their libidos, so in the end give these girls help in exchange for their bodies. The lack of parental guidance and advice results in these girls living their lives without knowing what it really entails in giving out their bodies in exchange for money.Sexual abuse of teenage girls is also one of the causes of teenage pregnancy. Some teenage parents do not have financial resources to cater for their babies; they usually have to rely on their families and relatives to assist them. This leads to expulsion from school and may not have the opportunity to be re-absorbed to the school system. This break can hinder the future development of the child as well as the quality of life of the child. Also, sometimes teenage mothers are not mature enough to provide the emotional and social needs of their children. They may feel Isolated and deserted by their friends who continued with their education, contributing to psychological problems. Also according Carrera (2012) observed that unrestricted interaction with the opposite sex ignite the sparks of lust in teenagers very easily, especially when alcohol and drugs are involved. Melissa (2012) noted that teenage pregnancy could lead to incomplete education, unemployment and other numerous emotional traumas. One of the consequences of teenage pregnancy is that of adult women in terms of childbearing, thus they often face certain complications during pregnancy and child delivery. Lack of sex education causes teens to undergo abortions since they realize that they are not ready yet to take responsibilities to be parents at such a young age. …