Teen pregnancy is a big deal, and it affects our school community more than we might realize. It’s important to talk about it openly and understand what’s going on. The topic of teen pregnancy always brings different reactions; while there might be empathy, there are also stigmas. Since 2019, the rates of teen pregnancy in the U.S. have been 16.7 teens per 1,000 pregnant. But how are the numbers in our community? In our school.

We asked some questions of our school nurses, and we found out directly that 5 teens are expecting during this period of time. It is good to know that in our campus there has been a big change in the rate, and the numbers have decreased. “This is a big decline from last school year. I have worked at Morton East for 10 years, and we have noticed a decline each year,” said nurse Rosalba Hernandez. While the numbers are still not zero, there is still a feeling of relief knowing that every year this problem is disappearing.

Understanding teen pregnancy

There has always been the question of what really is the cause of teen pregnancy. Is it bad education? Not having the autonomy to make decisions? Not enough responsibility? Those questions will always exist, and there will never be a genuine right answer.

“I think the biggest cause of teen pregnancy is the lack of sexual education that students go through. Yes, there are programs that give orientation, but it is not enough. We should go deeper and teach about autonomy, about the things that will present in the future, and all the details of it. It is also important to make our teens feel comfortable enough to talk and ask questions about it without feeling scared. It will always be better to prevent a non-prepared pregnancy than going through one when you’re still a teen,” said Rocio Almanza, a teacher at Montessori Lab.

It is hard to imagine not being prepared and suddenly having a big responsibility for the rest of your life while you’re still a teen. It is hard to face all the consequences that come behind it, like the depression that teen mothers suffer, all the emotions that sometimes might even become stronger than themselves and get them to do intrusive actions. The economic issues that they might face and all the time that they would no longer get for their own self-care. No matter how hard we try to understand it from the outside, we will never be able to go through their shoes.

Anonymous testimony of a pregnant 15-year-old.

“Every day feels like a rollercoaster of emotions as a pregnant teen. There’s the constant fear of judgment from others. I hear whispers behind my back, stares from strangers, and the disappointment in my parents’ eyes. I wake up every morning with a knot in my stomach, wondering how I’ll face another day of school, another day of hiding this growing bump, another day of pretending everything is okay when it’s far from it. Physically, my body is changing in ways I never imagined. Nausea hits me like a ton of bricks, making it hard to focus on anything else. My clothes don’t fit anymore, and I’m too embarrassed to ask for maternity wear. The exhaustion is overwhelming, but there’s no time to rest between school, doctor’s appointments, and trying to figure out how to support myself and this baby. Emotionally, I’m a wreck. There are moments of excitement when I feel a kick or hear the baby’s heartbeat, but they’re overshadowed by waves of anxiety and uncertainty. How will I finish school? Will I be able to provide for my child? Will I ever be able to give them the life they deserve? Every decision feels like it carries the weight of the world. Should I tell the father? Will he even care? And what about adoption? It’s a constant battle between what’s best for me and what’s best for this little life growing inside of me. But through it all, there’s a glimmer of hope. A tiny spark of determination that refuses to be extinguished. I may be young and scared, but I’m also strong. I’ll do whatever it takes to give my baby the love and support they need, even if it means facing the world alone,” said one anonymous teen.

Support.

Through the hard times that might be faced, there are plenty of resources in our school to help students that go through teen pregnancy.  The school nurses here at Morton East had this to say:

“We understand that this may be a challenging time for you, but we want you to know that you are not alone. As your school nurses, we are here to offer you support, guidance, and resources every step of the way. Pregnancy can bring about a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. But please know that you have a team of caring professionals here to help you navigate this journey. Whether you need information about prenatal care, assistance finding resources in the community, or simply a compassionate ear to listen, we are here for you. Your health and well-being, as well as that of your baby, are our top priorities. We want to assure you that your education is still important to us, and we are committed to helping you succeed academically while balancing the demands of pregnancy. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any accommodations or support in your studies. Remember, you are stronger than you think, and you have the power to overcome any challenges that come your way. You are capable, resilient, and deserving of all the love and support in the world. Take care of yourself, reach out when you need help, and know that we are here for you, now and always,” said school nurses. The campus supports everyone in all situations, if you need any help just reach for the school services, there are plenty of sources for you.”