Teen Pregnancy: Facts and Prevention

by Lindsay Hutton

Teen pregnancy is on the rise after over a decade of declining numbers. These new statistics demonstrate how important it is to discuss abstinence and safe sex practices with your teen. This article discusses the rising teen pregnancy rate, and ways to talk about this sensitive topic with your teenage son or daughter.

The Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one third of girls in the United States will get pregnant before the age of 20. Although sexual behavior among teens in the United States is similar to that of teens in other developed countries, teens in the U.S. are less likely to use effective forms of contraception. The result is that the U.S. has the second highest teen birth rate among 46 countries in the developed world. Since the early 1990s, more consistent condom use, increased use of hormonal contraceptives, and abstinence have helped to reduce the birth rate among teenagers some 34%. However, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 2006 was the first year in more than a decade to see an increase in teenage pregnancies, suggesting that the downward trend may be reversing.

The Risks

Findings from ACOG show that one third of teen pregnancies end in abortion. Meanwhile, a teen who chooses to carry her pregnancy to term runs the risk of experiencing complications, usually because she fails to obtain proper prenatal care. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a pregnant teen is less likely to gain the appropriate amount of weight and is more likely to smoke during her pregnancy. Because of this, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unintended Pregnancy, babies born to teen mothers are more likely to be premature, and almost 10% have a low birth weight. In addition, children born to teenage mothers have significantly lower cognitive test scores at age two, compared to children born of intended pregnancy.

Health problems to the fetus aren't the only risks a pregnant teen faces. According to ACOG, most teens (90%) who carry their pregnancy to term decide to raise their child themselves. Very few teens look to adoption as an option. Teen mothers are less likely to finish high school or get married, and are more likely to live in poverty, reducing their ability to properly care and provide for their children. Their low or nonexistent income makes it more likely that they will seek public assistance and depend on welfare. Teen fathers are also less likely to finish high school, and the jobs they hold will most likely be lower paying then those of men who wait to have children. ACOG has found that the daughters of teen mothers are more likely to become teen mothers themselves, while the sons of teen mothers have a higher chance of being incarcerated than children with older parents.

To help prevent teen pregnancy, it is essential to educate teens on sex and birth control methods. Sex education is important for both girls and boys, and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has effectively implemented programs that promote healthy decision-making among the teen population. These decisions include delaying sexual activity, reducing the number of partners an individual has, and increasing the use of contraceptives and condoms.

ACOG recommends that girls begin visiting an ob-gyn between the ages of 13-15. This increases the chance that she will have had her first visit before becoming sexually active. Ob-gyns are well equipped to offer accurate information about sex, pregnancy, and STDs. They can discuss pregnancy prevention, such as types of birth control methods, as well as educate teens on the importance of safe sex practices. Teens are often too embarrassed to ask certain questions, and ob-gyns can address the subject in a thorough and professional manner.

Q: If your 15-year-old daughter wanted a prescription for birth control pills, would you give her your permission?

Yes.

No.

No opinion.

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Although doctors are a good resource for information on sex, parents play a major role as well. Teens are less likely to become sexually active if they feel their parents disapprove of it. The National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health found that the more connected teens feel to their parents, the less likely they are to begin having sex at an early age. Research has shown that positive communication between parents and their children helps young people to establish values and make healthy decisions. And, according to the Advocates for Youth, teens who receive accurate information about sex from their parents are more likely to delay becoming sexually active, and to use contraceptives when they do.

Many parents feel uncomfortable talking to their children about sex and teen pregnancy. Some parents may have grown up in an environment where these topics were not discussed, so they are not sure how to go about initiating a conversation. Other parents may be worried that they will not know the answers to any questions their child has, or they may be confused about how much information is appropriate. Recognizing that this may be an uncomfortable topic for parents and their teenage sons and daughters to discuss, the Advocates for Youth offers these tips to help make the conversation a little easier:

Make it clear to your child that he can talk to you about anything. This will help to encourage communication.

Take advantage of situations that allow the subject to be brought up--for example, news articles, television, or even a friend's pregnancy.

Allow your child to talk, and listen to what she is saying. Think about what you are being asked.

Don't jump to conclusions. The fact that your teen may have questions about sex does not necessarily mean she is sexually active.

Give factual and honest answers to questions.

Share your thoughts and values with your child, and encourage her to share hers.

Reassure your child that his questions are normal.

Give your child examples of ways to get out of high-risk situations, and teach him how to make healthy decisions about sex.

Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know the answer to a question.

Understand that your child may sometimes feel more comfortable talking to someone other than you. Help him come up with a list of other trusted adults to talk to.

The recent increase in teen pregnancy is proof that it is more important than ever to educate the nation's teens on sex and pregnancy. Communication and sex education are two of the most effective ways that parents can teach their teens to avoid the consequences of unprotected sex.