The Need for Developed Universal Intellectual Traits on Mitigating Teenage Pregnancy

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XI, November 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Need for Developed Universal Intellectual Traits on Mitigating Teenage Pregnancy

John Kibwage Nyangaresi
Department of Educational Foundations, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P. O. BOX 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya

Abstract : The role of developed universal intellectual traits is to impart curable skills necessary for curbing teenage pregnancy. It is however; legitimate to captivate analytical and philosophical precaution processes that are weightily anchored on man’s faculty of correct reasoning. This article therefore examines the need for developed universal intellectual traits on mitigating teenage pregnancy in schools. The article appeals to the implications of Richard Paul & Linda Elder in addressing teenage pregnancy. The article used analytical Method of Philosophical consultancy and analysis. The study pinpoints out that if teenage pregnancy is to be addressed once for all, then educators must infuse Universal intellectual traits without omitting or commissioning any of the following: intellectual humility, intellectual autonomy, intellectual integrity, intellectual courage, and intellectual perseverance confidence in reason, intellectual empathy, and intellectual fair-mindedness. Universal intellectual traits triggers the faculty of reasoning among teenagers, concerned stakeholder and even sexual perpetrators to be critical thinkers in resolving and solving social problems like teenage pregnancy in a more logical, valid and sound manner.

Key words; Teenage pregnancy and Universal intellectual traits.

I. INTRODUCTION

Teenage pregnancy is a global problem greatly impacting on education and the health status of the girl child [1]. It is reported that about 21 million cases of teenage pregnancy are recorded worldwide annually with majority of the cases being reported in Sub-Sahara Africa [2], [3]. The problem of teenage pregnancy is not only hitting the less developed countries but also the developed countries though at low rates [1]. Kenya is one of the Sub-Sahara African Countries affected by teenage pregnancy with an estimate of about 3000 girls dropping out of school every year [2]. United Nations Population Fund Report on global reproductive health shows that there were about 378, 397 teenage pregnancies case among girls who are aged 10-19 years between the months ofJuly 2016 to the month of June 2017 were recorded in Kenya [4]. The outbreak of Corona virus pandemic COVID-19 which lead to prolonged closure of schools worsen the situation as the cases of Teenage pregnancy with African Institute for Development policy (AFIDEP) in comparison with Kenya Health Information Systems (KHIS) statistics showing that cases of teenage pregnancy increased by approximately 41% (153000) cases between March to June 2020 [5].

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