Pregnant Teenagers as a Vulnerable Population At risk mothers and infants-of-concern have been considered a vulnerable population since teen pregnancy was identified as a pandemic in the 1990s. These teenage mothers are at risk for pregnancy complications, low birth weight babies, and increased rates of infant mortality. However, the more ominous risk is that of poverty and the associated vulnerabilities that accompany living below the poverty level. The paper will discuss the demographic data regarding teen pregnancy, the social stigma attached to teen pregnancy and the economic impact to the teen and to society. A case study is examined to illustrate possible approaches to care and personal reflections of the author will be shared regarding issues of teenage pregnancy.
Foster Children and the Struggles Faced Within LIFE IN FOSTER CARE 10/16/2012 When the economy is low, the foster care system sees a rise in abandoned, neglected, and abused children adding more than the normal amount of cases. “In 2011 there were 401,100 children in foster care” (Child Trends, 2012). These children depend upon the people that work within the system to help and provide them with guidance and security. Foster children usually receive their basic needs while in the system, but older children tend to experience more difficulties than younger children do in foster care. He or she is likely to end up in trouble with the law than their peers without the proper support (Cowan, 2004, p. 1008).
The lack of education leads to further development of barriers such as a financial barrier and poor lifestyle that makes them unable to provide for themselves and their child. Most jobs that do not require a high school diploma only offer a minimum wage and do not offer adequate benefits to meet all medical needs. “key indicators of health, infant mortality rates and low-birth weight rates, were elevated when infants were born to mothers who were less educated” (Flores et al,1998). Considering that statement I believe that the biggest barrier affecting this vulnerable population’s health is education. Vulnerable mothers that do not finish getting their education become discouraged and loose the motivation and drive to tackle the oncoming challenges that life brings, creating for them another barrier on the micro level; it being a financial barrier.
Local clinics and health facilities could set up programs that address teenage pregnancy. Local clinics focusing on primary prevention techniques could prevent undesirable outcomes in the future or help promote more desirable outcomes (Gladding, & Newsome, 2003). Primary prevention is done to reduce the risk factors for undesirable outcomes. There are many indirect services that aide in prevention. A collaboration between parents, school and community agencies can greatly reduce the number of teenage mothers.
Retrieved from www.ncsl.org/magazine. This article was written by Kelly Crane. In this article the states are looking for better ways to use their staff and community resources; taking a different approach in the million cases of child neglect. This article explained one method, referred to as differential response or alternative response, and is being used in a number of state child protective service programs. It allows use of more than one approach to handle initial accepted reports of child abuse or neglect.
Homeless families with children Jenisha M. Rivera Lakes High School 1 Homelessness is a devastating experience for families. It disturbs every aspect of family life, damaging the physical and emotional health of family members. It interferes with children’s education and development, and usually results in the separation of family members. One of the fastest growing sections of the homeless population is families with children. A 2005 study revealed that of the counted homeless population, there were 98,452 homeless families, making up 41% of the homeless population (Homelessness Counts, 2007).
POST PARTUM DEPRESSION AS EXPERIENCED BY MOTHERS IN OLONGAPO CITY Many new mothers feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities that present themselves at the birth of a child. These feelings can be heightened by rapid hormonal changes. Many women feel mildly sad, irritable, anxious, and emotional. However, in 10% of new mothers these symptoms become extreme and constitute a debilitating depression . Postpartum depression is more prevalent in women who have a predisposition or family history toward mental health disorders.
They will also lack people to confide in or go to for advice Child neglect, often overlooked, is the most common form of child maltreatment. This has a major impact on a child’s development. Most perpetrators of child neglect are the parents themselves. The physical, emotional and cognitive developmental impacts from child neglect in any childhood can be detrimental as the effects from neglect can carry on into adulthood. By the time a child reaches the age of six if he / she has experienced neglect his/her chances of having overall poor physical health increases .Infants can develop poor physical health if neglect starts even before the child I born.
Research has shown that juvenile offenders are more apt [Passive voice] to return to the justice system the more they are in contact with the system; therefore, interventions need to be different depending upon whether youth are classified [Passive voice] as low, medium or high risk. Furthermore, indicates keeping lower-risk youth out of detention and results in lower incidence of crime. The incomplete information was advised in the Missouri and Washington State prior assessments above for each individual. Each state’s classification system incorporates a matrix that is designed [Passive voice] to match the sanction with the level of control necessary to manage the risk (Missouri Juvenile Offender Risk Assessment, 2003). The purpose of the classification matrix is to suggest the presumptive sanction(s) for youth entering the juvenile justice system based on the seriousness of the present offense and the risk of continued delinquent behavior.
They are more prone to catch sexually transmitted disease and have a high chance of not succeeding in adulthood. Massachusetts has established some pregnancy prevention programs to minimize the pregnancy rates. Many young teens get pregnant early on in life and it interferes with their schooling, finding care for