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Teen Pregnancy

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Teen Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy

Today’s Statistics:
Teen pregnancy rate has been on a decline over the past few decades
Average teen birth rate decreased 9% from 2009 to 2010, reaching an all time low of 34.3 births per 1,000 women (15-19y)
44% decrease from 1991-2010
About 820,000 teens become pregnant each year
34% of teens have at least one pregnancy before they turn 20
79% of teenagers who become pregnant are unmarried
80% of teenage pregnancies are unintended
The main rise in the teen pregnancy is among girls younger than 15
Close to 25% of teen mothers have a second child within two years of the first birth
80% of teen mothers end up on welfare
50% will end up on welfare during the first year
Daughters of teen mothers are 22% more likely to become teen mothers
Son’s of teen mothers have a 13% greater chance of ending up in prison
The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of the Western industrialized world
US has 2x the pregnancy rate as Canada, 4x Germany and France, and 8x Japan
US spends $7 billion annually due to costs of teen pregnancy

Impact of Teen Pregnancy (mothers):
33% of teen mothers will get a high school diploma by age 22
Increased drop out rate
By age 30, only 1.5% of teen mothers will have a college degree
Emotional distress on teenager and family members
Shame, embarrassment, guilt, depression, denial, sadness, anxiety, fear
Poverty
Physical or mental illnesses
Social problems (loss of friends/relationships with peers)
Diminished life expectations
Lack of proper information regarding pregnancy education, nutrition, substance abuse, and complications of pregnancy

Impact of Teen Pregnancy (babies):
Abuse and neglect
Lack of proper medical care
Increased risk of medical complications
Poor performance in school
Low birth-weight babies
Mental retardation
Asthma/breathing problems

How to combat the problem?
Parents form quality relationships with children
Parental closeness, presence, concern, and involvement in activities
Parents - discuss the uncomfortable topic
Parents - make values and morals known; provide clear messages
Supervise your teenager
Very strict monitoring of teens is associated with a greater risk of teen pregnancy
Family structure
Public opinion- teach abstinence and contraceptive information (BOTH)
Controversial
Limits on what schools can teach
Many parents want schools to do more
Religious beliefs
Overwhelming teens?

What teens are saying?
Show us why teen pregnancy is such a bad idea.
Show us what good, responsible relationships look like.
Talk to us honestly about sex, love, and relationships.
Even if we don’t ask, we still have questions.
If we do ask questions, don’t just assume we are sexually active.
Pay attention to us.
Don’t leave us alone so much.
We hate the “talk” as much as you do.
For us, it’s about abstinence and contraception. Not either or, but both.

Helpful resources: www.thenationalcampaign.org www.teenpregnancy.com www.cdc.gov www.cbsnews.com www.familyfirstaid.org

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