Informative Essay on Teenage Pregnancy

Introduction
The theme I have selected for my portfolio is ‘Teenage Pregnancy.’ According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, “Teenage pregnancy can be defined as a teenage girl within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant.” My purpose for selecting this theme is to expose and generate awareness of the devastating effects of teenage pregnancy on education. Following the introduction is a reflective and expository piece. The reflective part of this portfolio is a monologue written from the point of view of a pregnant teenager, relating her personal feelings on the matter. The expository part is an eight minute speech that evaluates the statistics of teenage pregnancy and addresses the possible negative effects it can have on one’s education.
Through the reflective and expository piece, the intended audience will be able to understand and make decisive actions based on the theme presented. As a student studying biology and aspiring to be a doctor, the subject and career choice relates to the human body being physically unable to facilitate the conceiving and nurturing of child at such a young age. In terms of my personal interest, I have selected this theme in relation to understanding the personal experiences of friends and classmates whom have experienced the effects of teenage pregnancy on their education.

Reflective Piece
Preface
The reflective piece chosen is entitled ‘Taking the hard way in life.’ It depicts the thoughts of a pregnant teenager who has been expelled from school and has an unsupportive mother. She is unsure of where or whom she can turn to, to find guidance in the upbringing of her unborn child. The reflective piece was written in the form of a monologue as it effectively relates my personal thoughts on the theme of teenage pregnancy. My inspiration for this piece came from a friend who experienced the effects of being pregnant at an early age.
This reflective piece can be used during personal development classes so that awareness of the aforementioned theme can be raised. The intended audiences for the reflective piece are teenagers within the ages of thirteen to seventeen, both of whom have or have not experienced teenage pregnancy. The purpose of this piece is to touch and raise awareness of teenage pregnancy amongst members in society.