Deconstructing the Teenage Pregnancy

Abstract

Teenage childbearing is considered a societal ill, despite the evidence failing to demonstrate a causative link between teenage childbearing and negative consequences for teens or their children. This thesis argues that the strongly held assertion that teenage childbearing is detrimental to teens and society is rooted in racist eugenics theories and histories of reproductive coercion. Today, social scientists, health care providers, and public health professionals develop and celebrate programs that reduce rates of teen pregnancy, particularly programs that provide Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) to teens in marginalized communities. While these efforts are well-intentioned, they fail to recognize their perpetuation of histories of reproductive coercion of young women of color. This paper recommends ways in which the medical community can be better informed and respect reproductive autonomy in caring for teens from marginalized communities.