With various television shows like, "16 and Pregnant," and, "Teen Mom," teen pregnancy has become a normality in today's society. But are teen pregnancy rates dropping or rising? Is it making a significant impact in peoples' immediate lives? A school in San Francisco recently began offering condoms to middle school students along with their lunches for "preventative measures," leaving many torn on the subject. While it may seem like teen pregnancy is becoming a major problem in our country, the facts may actually surprise you.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, birth rates of women aged 15-17 dropped 13 percent between the years 2012 and 2013. Even though it was a record low for teens in the U.S., the country's teen pregnancy rate is higher than most western industrialized nations. In the U.S., 1,700 teen girls ages 15-17 give birth every week. The CDC also claims that "socioeconomically disadvantaged youth of any race or ethnicity experience the highest rates of teen pregnancy and childbirth." This claim defeats any racial stereotypes that often lead people to misunderstand teen pregnancy.
This declined rate saved taxpayers a whopping grand total of $12 billion in 2010. The costs associated with teen pregnancy for taxpayers still remain a concerning amount of $9.4 billion. The state with the highest teen pregnancy rate, Mississippi, paid $137 million in teen child bearing costs in 2010, while the state with the lowest teen pregnancy birth rate, New Hampshire, paid $20 million that same year.
The National Conference of State Legislatures sees a major problem with the teen pregnancy issue in America. In 2010, only 40 percent of teen mothers graduated high school, and women who had children in college were 65 percent less likely to finish their degree. The NCSL believes that the lack of educational achievement affects the income of teen mothers later on, with two-thirds of families started by teens living in poverty. The NCSL also believes this cycle will be continued in further generations of the teen families.
Prevention is key to continuing to lower the rate of teen pregnancies.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention promotes awareness for teen pregnancy and for preventing it. In regards to prevention, they have advice for what young teens can do to prevent pregnancy:
- Know both they and their partner share responsibility for preventing pregnancy and resisting peer pressure to start having sex until they are older.
- Talk openly about sexual health issues with parents, other adults they trust, and their friends.
- See a health care provider to learn about the most effective types of birth control. Use the pill and condoms correctly every time.
Despite any negative ideas people have about teen mothers, it is best believed that they underestimate the power of motherhood. All mothers have the potential to be great, despite age, ethnicity or economic state. However, for the future generations of women in America the prevention of teen pregnancy is necessary for the goal of keeping women sexually aware, safe and prepared for their bright futures.
