Investigating the High Rate of Pregnancy among School for the Blind

Literature Review

Pregnancy has been the common problems among the teenagers. The issues of early parenting definitely affect the individual’s capacity to perform well in the society and can carve an impact on his/her whole being. The incidence of pregnancy among the teenage girls is considered a serious societal problem, not only in the Third World Countries but the nations across the globe. The continuous growth of early pregnancy is traced due the various influences coming from the sexual representations of television programs, economic and social issues, and the lack of openness in health and parenting information. There are various consequences in the early pregnancy of teenagers, they usually fail to finish their school and rely on public assistance. Clinicians also concluded that the children of teen mothers have a great potential to experience the health risks and complications (NLRC, 2005).

Significantly, the action of the government and other social workers appeared to be effective for the past years, with the aim to reduce the rate to teenage pregnancy and early parenting. However, because of the unexplained teenage pregnancy, the health organizations discovered the intervention that became popular among the young adults. There is a significant rose of abortion rates of unexpected childbirth among the teenagers. The changes in the rate of pregnancy suggested that the popularity of abortion is the option of the teenagers in escaping the dilemma of early parenting. The actions of teenagers in their pregnancy and making decisions are found in their social status and behaviors.

The status of the teenager in the society is a factor that creates a high possibility in early pregnancy. A typical or normal teenager is aware of the use of contraceptive during the sexual intercourse. This explains the responsible behavior that might affect the increase or decrease of teen pregnancy. However, if a teenager is disabled (blind, deaf-mute, bedridden, or mentally retarded) there is a possibility for increase in pregnancy. The incapacity of an individual to fight or not to respond in sexual activity is also called as sexual harassment or rape. This scenario might exist among the School for the Blind because of the disadvantage of the teenager to fight or even to report the harassment due to her blindness. Aside from being pregnant, the teenagers might also receive the HIV/AIDS that can destroy their lives (Santelli, et al., 2009). Having disabilities is the weakness of a teenage to refuse in sexual intercourse which is opposite to the assaulting person because this is their opportunity to strike with a confidence that they will not be caught.

Consequences of Being Blind

There are many aspects of blindness that are important to recognize and there is a growing interests on the consequences of being blind among the Third World Countries, like in Ghana. The education and training for the blind became the initial action of the government to support the blinds to perform as a normal person and earn income for their living. The education and training among the blind is important for the development of the entire society. Unfortunately, the progress of blind in Ghana cannot be assured towards success. Being blind can be the disadvantage of an individual against the other people. Apparently, the Braille writing system and/or sign language of the blinds seems like a mystery code for the public because of its secrecy in the public education. The government of Ghana cannot afford to fully support and implement the special needs of the blind. The Schools for the Blind in Askropong-Akwapim and Wa, in Northern Ghana are the examples of institutions for the blind, that supports the development of the blind towards their full potential and achieve their optimum effectiveness. The job market is one of the problems of the blind and the use of the technologies such as the computers might be the weaknesses of the blind. In terms of social relationship, the blinds can experience sexual harassment (Dogbe, 2004).

The unpleasant realities have negative effects for the blind person’s economic livelihood, quality of life, and social standing. Eventually, all the weaknesses or disadvantages of the blinds can reflect on the negative image of the blind in general. Moreover, they will suffer in the society if the government neglected their rights and the society maltreated them. The associations that supports the blind in Ghana are expected to formulate the effective programs and activities should center in the philosophy of empowering the blind people.

References:

Dogbe, L., (2004) Do Not Turn a Blind Eye to Blindness… The Consequences of Being Blind in Ghana, Bulletin of Medicus Mundi Switzerland, No. 92 [Online] Available at: http://www.medicusmundi.ch/mms/services/bulletin/bulletin200401/kap02/13dogbe.html [Accessed 30 July 2010].

NLRC, (2005) Teen Pregnancy among Latinas in San Diego County: Contraceptive and Abortion Attitudes and Behavior, The National Latino Research Center [Online] Available at: http://www.csusm.edu/nlrc/Fact_Sheet_Teen_Pregnancy.pdf [Accessed 30 July 2010].

Santelli, J.S., Orr, M., Lindberg, L.D., & Diaz, D.C., (2009) Galleys for: Changing Behavioral Risk for Pregnancy among High School Students in the United States (1991-2007), Journal of Adolescent Health, [Online] Available at: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/reprints/Behavioral_Risk_Santelli_JAH.pdf [Accessed 30 July 2010].