LOWERING THE RATE OF TEEN PREGNANCY IN THE

LOWERING THE RATE OF TEEN PREGNANCY IN THE UNITED STATES Robert Kelley Josie Epps Hannah Sawyer November 2010

Purpose � The purpose of this proposal is to: � Identify the growing problem of teenage pregnancy in the United States. � Show the main causes of this problem � Show the effects of teenage pregnancy � Demonstrate a plan to reduce the number of pregnancies among teenagers. � Make clear the correlation between the proposal and the research gathered. � Express the importance of the subject.

Our Analysis of the problem

Major Causes of Teen Pregnancy � � � � Lack of parental guidance Exploitation of young girls by older men Socio Economic Factors Adolescent Sexual Behavior Inadequate Knowledge about Safe Sex Incorrect use of birth control Peer Pressure The list goes on…

Statistics � • Nearly half (46%) of all 15– 19 -year-olds in the United States have had sex at least once. � • By age 15, only 13% of never-married teens have ever had sex. However, by the time they reach age 19, seven in 10 never-married teens have engaged in sexual intercourse. � • Most young people have sex for the first time at about age 17, but they do not marry until their middle or late 20 s. This means that young adults are at risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for nearly a decade. � • The majority (59%) of sexually experienced teen females had a first sexual partner who was 1– 3 years their senior. Only 8% had first partners who were six or more years older. � • A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year. � • Eighty-two percent of teen pregnancies are unplanned; they account for about one-fifth of all unintended pregnancies annually. � • Ten percent of all U. S. births are to teens.

The Effects � These teens as well as their children are far more likely to: � Grow up under poverty conditions � Have more health related problems � Suffer from higher rates of abuse and neglect � Fail in school � Become teen mothers themselves � Commit delinquent acts and adult crimes � Incur failed adult marriages and other relationships

Our Plan

Major Steps � � � Start sexual education in school at an earlier age. Encourage parents to talk to their children about sex and the effects of teenage pregnancy. Make ALL teens take a class in parenting where they will be able to experience the reality of being a parent first hand.

Parenting Classes

Parenting Classes

Cost/Benefits � Costs: Sexual education class � Parents talking to their children � Parenting Classes for ALL teens � � Benefits: � Countless

Conclusion

Works Cited � Stats: � http: //www. guttmacher. org/pubs/FB-ATSRH. html � Pictures and info on baby simulator/empathy belly � http: //www. solutions- site. org/artman/publish/article_47. shtml � http: //www. enasco. com/product/SB 43112 G � http: //www. educationworld. com/a_curr/curr 077. shtml � Information on effects of teen pregnancy � http: //www. articlealley. com/article_479589_17. html � Information on causes of teen pregnancy � http: //www. teenhelp. com/teen-pregnancy- risks. html