Teen Pregnancy Rates Up
Troubling news about teens and sex…Teen pregnancy rates are up after a ten year decline. There is no doubt that teen pregnancy is on the rise. The question is…What can we do about it?
It seems obvious that abstinence-only programs aren’t working to reduce teen pregnancy. If you ask me, it’s not the “abstinence” part that is the problem, it’s the “only” part. I’m not against teaching abstinence as part of a sex education program, but to only teach abstinence seem irresponsible.
So then, what is the best way to reduce teen pregnancy?
Abstinence-only programs?
Making birth control more available?
The morning after pill?
Abortion?
As the mother of a teen daughter, this is a huge issue to me. Personally, I believe that what works for one teen, isn’t necessarily what will work for the next. Abstinence only may work for a teen who isn’t interested in dating, but it won’t be very helpful for a teen who is already dating. The thing is…Hormones are stronger than a teen’s desire to do what their parents want them to do.
From Reuters – Teen Pregnancy Rate Up After 10 Years…
The overall teen pregnancy rate was up 3 percent in 2006, with a 4 percent rise in the rate of births and a 1 percent rise in the rate of abortions, according to the report by the Guttmacher Institute.
The United States has higher rates of teen pregnancy, birth and abortion than in other Western industrialized countries.
From Justice News Flash…
According to federal data, the pregnancy rate among 15-to-19-year-olds grew by 3 percent between 2005 and 2006, which is the first increase since 1990. Teen pregnancy is a hot button for debate, especially when it comes to whether federal funding should focus on abstinence or birth control. While the pregnancy rate is under a scrutinizing debate, several experts claim the increase is due to sex-education programs that strictly focus on abstinence. Others argue that the pregnancy rate increased because of several factors which include poverty increase, influx of Hispanics, complacency about AIDS, and promoting lax use of birth control like condoms. The new shocking report came as Congress is speculated to consider reinstating federal funding to abstinence sex-education programs. A spokesperson for the National Abstinence Education Association stated, “Contributors include an over-sexualized culture, lack of involved and positive role models, and the dominant message that teen sex is expected and without consequences.” The Obama administration is about to begin a $110 million pregnancy prevention initiative, which focuses on programs with proven effectiveness. The initiative also has the possibility of funding other innovative approaches, which would include encouraging abstinence.
From The Washington Post…
The new findings immediately set off a debate over funding. Critics argued that the disturbing new data were just the latest in a long series of indications that the focus on abstinence programs was a dismal failure.
I’m not sure how “new” this information on teen pregnancy is, in December of 2007 I wrote a post about teen pregnancy being on the rise. But whether this is old or new news, it’s important that we figure out where we are going wrong.
In a perfect world we could teach our kids to say no to sex, and they would listen. Trouble is, we don’t live in a perfect world.
From USA Today – As Abstinence Funds Dry Up, Faith Groups Take The Lead…
Jeiel Ballard and his girlfriend, both 16, are dressed up in their best attire, ready for a night of dancing and fun.
But there will be no close embraces or risque moves to test chaperones on the dance floor. The “purity ball” sponsored by their Seventh-day Adventist Church will feature a vow to abstain from sex until marriage and offer tips on “appropriate” touching between the sexes.
What do you think about teen pregnancy? Do you think abstinence-only programs are helping or hurting? What do you think parents or schools can do to help prevent teen pregnancy?
Also See:
WebMD – Teen Pregnancy Surges
College Candy – Guide to Preventing Teen Pregnancy
From Girl Drive – Julie talks about the impact television shows are having on teen pregnancy.
