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Remi Morris

Mr. Gilbert

Social Justice

07 February 2020

The Socio-Economic Effects of the Age Women Give Birth

Cause-and-effect, causality, is a phenomenon in which an action leads to a consequence

or reward; where one particular thing leads to another, perhaps even a domino effect. The age

which a mother experiences childbirth affects her higher education. Thus affecting her financial

stability which is integral to their children's home-life. To find the source of this cause-and-effect

cycle, we look at the underlying cultural aspects, the socioeconomic affiliations, education, and

family dynamics. We can examine how these topics ​cause​ this issue, what they e​ffect​, and how

to produce solutions.

Foremost, a foundation of the facts; the average San Diegan woman with a college degree

will have their child at 31, and without a degree at 24. In Taylor County, Kentucky, the average

is lowered to 27 with a degree and 22 without. Looking at this issue across party lines, culture

and religion are equally impactful, yet in different ways. Statistically, Republican states are more

likely to birth younger mothers, while in traditionally Democratic states, women are anticipated

to have kids at an older age. Examples could be stance on abortion, divorce, and childrearing.

There is no correct view on these matters, just that there is a cause-and-effect relationship

present.
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The effects of raising a child at an early age versus an older age can be dramatic. It’s

harder to receive a higher degree when you have another life to support and care for, which in

turn limits your job opportunities. One decision or choice can directly affect major factors in the

children of these young mothers. For example, older mothers who built up their financial status

can afford a home in a safe area in an excelling school district, while younger mothers might not

be exposed to the same opportunity. Older mothers might have the funds to pay for

extracurricular activities, while on the other hand a younger mother is just trying to put food on

the table.

An organization that is recognizing and addressing the issues at hand is Planned

Parenthood. Planned Parenthood provides controversial medical care such as STD testing,

abortion, horomone therapy, etc. The organization’s impact has been huge, not only through

these medical procedures, but also through their education. Planned Parenthood has fact-based

education on political issues, sexual harassment issues, and panflets with information on all their

procedures. They have contributed to helping teens avoid young motherhood through

contraceptives and abotion, helping them set up a path for success.

Stance on abortion, contraceptives, divorce, and childrearing all stem from education.

Sex and life education are integral for the success of adolescents. Shockingly, only 29 states

mandate sex education. In addition, only 15 states require the information to be medically

accurate. An obvioius solution to help prevent young mothers not only includes improved sex

education, but life education as well. It’s a safe assumption that states that give little to no sex

education will not teach their students about the effects of childrearing at a young age. Therefore,

states should mandate the education of the process of raising a child and the costs associated.
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The motive of this education is not to bash young mothers, but rather enlighten other students of

what motherhood is really like.

Personally, I believe this education is extremely important as most people have no

knowledge of this process. Exercises or simulations in this education could be built to truly

represent teen motherhood for both male and female counterparts. Many test studies would be

run before the implementation of this education to finalize facts. Young girls in all middle

schools and highschools should be receiving this information. We could never know what it will

do for someone’s life.