Teenage pregnancy is an issue that is rampant in the society today. It is the premature pregnancy of female child (ren) that is (are) yet to attain the maturity and ripe age for marriage. Several factors are influencing the menace in the society. The first among the factors is lack of proper moral upbringing of female children by their parents. There is no doubt that parents occupy significant position in the laying of a solid foundation for their children. When they fail to discharge their responsibilities in this regard, particularly in the area of the training of their children the dangers inherent in premature sex, such children will not count it as a sin to indulge in premature sex.

Poverty of parents / guardians further encourages teenage pregnancy. Many of the pregnant female children in the society today are from poor homes who cannot afford the basic needs of life like food and shelter. Wealthy males in the society thus easily lure such children into premature sexual intercourse.

Religion is another major factor that is influencing teenage pregnancy. In some countries in the world, education of female children is considered a ‘taboo’ because of religious indoctrination. In the Northern part of Nigeria as example, female children are usually given out for marriage prematurely (i.e. before 18 years) because of the associated ‘bride price’. Female children are thus considered as tickets for wealth making in this part of the country.

Lack of stiff penalty for those involved in it by government further encourages it. Today, there is no universal legislation against teenage pregnancy thus encouraging further indulgence in it by youths.

Teacher’s factor contributes to the spread of the issue in the society. In many schools today, some female pupils / students are involved in illicit and clandestine relationship with male teachers because of the promise of marks, money and other benefits by such male teachers. Peer influence goes a long way in influencing the act. Their friends lured many of the pregnant female children in the society today into the relationship with men.

The issue of teenage pregnancy has several consequences. It is increasing the population growth rate in the society. Many babies are being born through it, which cannot be catered for by the available resources. The issue encourages dropping out from schools. Many pregnant female children end up dropping out from school to avoid shame thus undermining government’s efforts towards ensuring Education for All and the Millennium Development goal of Education in the nearest future.

Due to poverty, many of those involved in teenage pregnancy die off prematurely because of lack of proper medical attention.

It has become imperative for the menace of teenage pregnancy to be eradicated or controlled in the society in view of its negative consequences. Several measures can however be adopted to achieve this goal. First among these is the need for parents to be more alive to their responsibilities at the home setting. They should strive to educate their children on the dangers that are inherent in premature sexual intercourse and the need to always relate with only the good pupils / students.

Government of each nation should try to enact law against teenage pregnancy. A stiff penalty should be imposed on those involved. The law should however be allowed to function rather than being on paper.

There is need for teachers to be morally upright in the school system. They should abstain from illicit relationship with their female pupils / students. Institution’s administrators should however strive to maintain discipline in their domains and discipline erring teachers and female students to serve as deterrents to others.

Government should further strive to educate the masses on the dangers involved in premarital sex and the issue of early marriage, particularly in those parts of the countries that are indispose to female education. Pupils / students in educational institutions should refrain from the influence of bad friends on them and should only associate with good students.