There are many options for pregnant teens, and there is no right or wrong decision. Each individual may realize that a certain route is best suited for their life, which may not be the case for another. The following are some of the options to consider however this decision requires a lot of thought and may require counseling and/or the support of family and friends.
Parenting
Having a baby is a very big responsibility. Being a parent makes one not only responsible for them self, but also for a tiny, helpless infant. Choosing to be a parent while still a teenager, is a very difficult choice that will have educational, financial, social, physical and emotional costs. In most cases, a teen will need a very supportive partner, family, school and community to be able to raise a child.
For more information and for parenting tips visit our resource page complete with many links helpful and informative links.
Adoption
In the adoption process, the biological mother gives adoptive parents all the rights and responsibilities to be the legal guardians for her child (What is adoption, 2007).
For more information about adoption visit: http://adopting.adoption.com/child/what-is-adoption.html
Foster care
Foster care is a system designed to provide homes to children whose parents or guardians are unable to fulfill their parenting obligations (Foster care in British Columbia, 2001). There are different types of foster homes available to meet the needs of the children and their parents.
For more information about foster care visit: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster/backgrounder.htm
Abortion
Abortion means ending a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently from the mother. There are different types of abortions, which include:
- Spontaneous abortions: if abortion happens spontaneously before 24 weeks of pregnancy, (also called a miscarriage) (Abortion, 2006).
- Induced abortions: caused deliberately in order to end the pregnancy which can be done medically or surgically (Abortion, 2006).
What is adoption. (2007). Adoption media. Retrieved March 21, 2007 from http://adopting.adoption.com/child/what-is-adoption.html
Foster care in British Columbia. (2001). Ministry of children and family development. Retrieved March 21, 2007 from http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster/backgrounder.htm
Abortion. (2006). Palo alto medical foundation. Retrieved March 21, 2007 from http://www.pamf.org/teen/Sex/Pregnancy/abortion.html
