With shows like Teen Mom raking in the ratings, teenage girls everywhere seem to be getting knocked up. Fictional programs such as Skins, Gossip Girl and the like aren’t exactly helping public perception, either. But apparently teen pregnancies have been declining in recent years. So who exactly do we have to thank?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010′s teen pregnancy rate was the lowest ever recorded. So are high school students having less sex, or just being more careful about it? Apparently, it’s a combination of the two, and, “experts credit a combination of birth control availability and abstinence” to the good news.
Nonetheless, Americans still have one of the highest birth rates in the industrialized world (which could be good or bad, depending on your views), “and unplanned pregnancy still costs the government (and, by extension, the taxpayers) billions per year.”
On a side note, states with legislators that promote anti-birth control regulations tend to have the largest numbers of teen pregnancy rates in the US. In Mississippi, 55 teenage girls out of 1,000 get pregnant, and Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama have high numbers as well.
While some think that shows like Teen Mom glamorize young pregnancies and make girls want to have babies, I’d like to take an optimistic standpoint and say that they’re scaring youngsters away from having unprotected sex (or none at all). While many of the show’s stars do get fame (and probably a bit of money), Teen Mom has also documented domestic violence, poverty and lots of sleepless nights as well. [via Jezebel]
What do you think of the declining teen pregnancy rate? What do you attribute it to?
guest
That’s really surprising. I think it has to do with the fact that teens are more aware of what could happen. Sex isn’t a taboo topic anymore, so people are talking about it more.
guest
I definitely agree it’s education and the accessibility of birth control. I’m from Canada, and women can visit any drop in clinic and get condoms, plan B, birth control and etc. for free. And it’s not that you just walk up to the counter and they give you a basket full of this stuff, you sit down with a nurse and they talk to you, so you’re getting professional advice instead of the hear say most high-schoolers would other wise depend on. Anyways, good for girls!
guest
Birth control is easier to find, you don’t need a parent and its cheap (for the most part) = no unplanned pregnancies.
guest
More open conversation about sex. Period the end. The United States needs to get with the times, and look to other countries for inspiration. They openly talk about sex and birth control, and thus their teen birth rates are low.
guest
You sound disappointed, lol.
guest
Not surprised.
guest
I wonder how many abortions are occurring. Is it really that teen pregnancy has gone done? Or teen pregnancy where the teen keeps the baby growing?
guest
Decrease on teen pregnancy. . .increase on oral sex? (leading to an increase of HPV and oral cancers.)
daisy / 599 posts
I wonder the same as @mommalosingit@xanga - I think it seems like people are becoming less ashamed of being pro choice. I am seeing more and more people admitting to being in pro choice than ever at least. Before it seemed like it was so taboo and people were scared to admit it. I’m surprised at how many girls I personally know who have recently came out about having abortions.
But if that’s not part of why pregnancy is on the decline, I am surprised. Maybe people are finally starting to see through friends how it really is to be a teen mom and how easy to is to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
guest
I think people are confusing being more open about teen pregnancy with teen pregnancy actually occurring. It was not that long ago where it wasn’t uncommon for 16 year old girls to get married. My great-grandmother was 11 when her parents married her off. In the past girls that got pregnant either had to drop out of school, they had to go to “alternative” school, or they were sent away to a home for wayward girls until the child was adopted. Yes, teen girls are ridiculed if they get pregnant, but they aren’t hidden away. We see them. We know they are there so it just seems like there are more of them. If you check the data on the CDC website, abortion rates are decreasing, even for teenagers. I think this is because being a pregnant teenage girl isn’t the stigma it used to be. MOST people don’t think that once a woman becomes pregnant out of wedlock she is damaged goods and should go hide under a rock with her bastard child. Less people are forcing their teenaged daughters to get an abortion.
Even back when I was in high school (sometime after the electricity was harnessed and it was decided that women folk could leave the kitchen) when girls got pregnant, they usually just disappeared. It wasn’t until years later that I found out that most of the girls that disappeared in California (at the first high school I attended) got pregnant and dropped out. I remember being shocked by the number of girls that were pregnant at school when I moved from California to Kansas and floored that there was a nursery in the high school Georgia. I didn’t think that these were bad things, it was just odd because I was used to the pregnant girls being sent away and never thought about again.
guest
I’m telling you, it’s all about having people talk about it. Even if the Teen Mom series or whatever glamorizes pregnancy, the fact of the matter is, every time a teen has sex they’ll think “___ on that show got pregnant” and will decide, consciously, to use protection or not.
Sometimes I think teens have sex because they really honestly don’t know anything about sex, their reproductive organs, responsibility— talking about it, whether be for or against having sex, will definitely keep the issue in their head so they can form the decision beforehand.
guest
@wildchildofthebluemoon@xanga - THIS.
sunflower / 332 posts
I think that teen mom and other shows that document the lightsides and the darksides of teen pregnancy have maybe somewhat helped raise conscience among teens who aren’t careful enough when it comes to sexual intercourse. Not everything is giggles and baby powder
guest
This is so hard for me to believe when I know 7 people I am well acquainted with that are all teen moms. Wait, just thought of another. Most of them are my age or younger, and I’m 19. Lol maybe its all just hitting in spots :p
Remembered one more as I finished this. So I’m at 9 now. Declining? Seriously? I can’t tell.
guest
I’m curious as to what age group is considered a ‘teen’ mom. I got pregnant with my oldest daughter when I was 20, and people treated me like I might as well have been 12.
I’m happy to hear it’s declining, Im sure that has a lot to do with planned parenthood and access to birth control. I would also LIKE to think that something good came out of this whole teen mom BS.
But, of course everyone is going to pick and choose what the cause is to push their own agendas
guest
@Erika_Steele@xanga - very well put, thank you
guest
I don’t think it’s declining persay but people are being more cautious. I personally don’t watch to much T.V. but I would agree with the idea that they are showing people the “Good, Bad and Ugly” of young pregnacy.
guest
I’m sick of seeing people who are surprised that the teen pregnancy rate is dropping. Yes, I am aware that because of shows like Teen Mom, SOME girls think it’ll be cute to get pregnant so that they can get on the show. However, SMART girls watch shows like these and realize that parenthood isn’t easy. Besides, did no one ever think that maybe our generation is just smarter about sex?
guest
I think it’s more awareness. People are trying harder to avoid it.
guest
that’s awesome!!
guest
Easier access to contraceptives certainly has to play a part here. Now women can go to a free women’s health clinic to get condoms and birth control, regardless of their age.You don’t need parental consent to be examined. Sex is certainly rampant in our culture and our youth, and honestly it doesn’t matter how much sex there is as long is everyone is happy, safe, and consenting.
Hopefully Obama’s plan to regulate birth control will go through, making it easier for women than ever.I certainly agree we should follow in the footsteps of other countries and focus on making sex less taboo. I have to admit I was surprised at the pregnancy rate going DOWN, with “Teen Mom” glamorizing young pregnancies. I def think there is something to the sub-conscious thought that they might get pregnant like Jenny on “Teen Mom.” Fuck the fake tits.
guest
I think of because the new style which is the clubbing, Jersey shore lifestyle where kids are supposed to have fun, and wanting to look their best. So, no babies attached. At least that’s what I’ve been noticing.
guest
Teen Mom
is..I don’t even know..I dislike that show a lot. I feel like it glamorizing teen pregnancies more then it shows downsides & other things. While, it does indeed showcase domestic violence issues & sleepless nights..it’s hard for a teenager watching the program to really see or care about that. After all, fame & money that comes from being on the show tend to unfortunately cloud the judgment of a young teen. Sleepless nights? Hire a nanny or a babysitter with the money made. Domestic violence issues? more fame can be had by speaking out about it to magazines & the like. It’s hard to see the real trying issues that every day teen parents face when it’s broadcasted on national tv & you hear about how much they’re making.
I am surprised to see teen pregnancies have declined however. It’s great that they have though, I think having easier access to birth control & whatnot is helping the situation & the raising awareness of STDs & the like is also a contributing factor.