Which social factor has been linked to an increase in teenage pregnancies?

Poverty is a significant social factor linked to an increase in teenage pregnancies. Research indicates that young individuals from low-income backgrounds often have limited access to comprehensive sex education, healthcare services, and contraception. This lack of access can lead to higher rates of unintended pregnancies. Additionally, socioeconomic stressors associated with poverty may influence decision-making and lifestyle choices, further contributing to the risk of teenage pregnancy.

While age is certainly a factor in teenage pregnancy, it is more of a demographic aspect rather than a social factor. Culture may influence attitudes toward sexuality and pregnancy, but the direct economic implications of poverty provide a clearer understanding of how it affects teenage pregnancies. Ethnicity, similarly, may play a role in cultural contexts, but again, poverty's direct impact on resources and education makes it a primary link to the rise in teenage pregnancies.