Teen Pregnancy Rates Continue to Decline in the United States

Teen pregnancy was once at epidemic proportions but slowly through education, sexual awareness learning tools and more readily available birth control practices. With this information available to them, many teens are now preventing an unwanted pregnancy. However, it is still anticipated that over 1 million teenage girls will become pregnant every year. Statistics show that in 1991-2005 the birth rate for the United States for teenage girls ages 15-19 dropped approximately 35%. The teenage birthrate was at its highest point in 1991.

Teen Pregnancy Websites Offer Guidance and Education

There is a teen pregnancy web site, teenagepregnancy.org, has established a goal, in alignment with the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy, to reduce the rate of teen pregnancy by one-third by the year 2015. This website is working hard to educate the public, the government and the teenage population about the many repercussions of teenage pregnancy. It is a basic belief of the campaign that a reduction in the number of teen pregnancies will have a direct effect on the overall well-being of children, reduce the crime rate and poverty as well as the number of people on state assistance.

Would Social Problems Improve if Teen Pregnancy Rates Declines?

Those working toward a decline in teen pregnancies argue that a reduction in the number of teenage pregnancies will directly affect society on a whole; insisting that children born to parents that are able to provide adequate care for their children provide a better foundation for their entire lives. The argument that a reduction in children born to unwed teenage mothers would have a direct impact and decrease a number of social problems such as child abuse and neglect, child poverty, high-school drop-puts, alcohol abuse, the crime rate and the number of people on public assistance.

Where to Turn if You are a Pregnant Teenager

There is nor denying that teen pregnancy is a social problem. It affects the unwed mother, father, their families and the children that are a result of the initial relationship. It also affects the neighborhood, school, church, and society that the new baby will be born into. It is unfortunate that the education and implementation of pregnancy workshops and classes are so difficult to enforce in real life situations. Most teenagers do not set out to get pregnant; it is an end result of curiosity, childhood romance and often ignorance. There are many resources available to pregnant teenagers; crisis hotlines, parenting center and a wide variety of websites. It is most important the pregnant teen not feel alone, ashamed or unwanted, as these emotions will only prevent her from finding the care and guidance that she and her baby need.