Teenage Pregnancy Facts And Statistics Are Shocking

Most people are aware that teenage pregnancy is a problem here in the United States. However, it isn't until you take the time to look at teenage pregnancy facts that you begin to understand the magnitude of the crisis. The truth is that the United States has the highest teenaged pregnancy rate in the industrialized world and it is having a devastating moral and economic impact on our society. If we do not look seriously at ways of effectively preventing teenage pregnancy the problem will soon become too overwhelming to solve.

The Financial Cost

Here are some teenage pregnancy facts related to the costs involved. Nearly one million teenaged girls become pregnant in the United States every year. Fifty-seven percent of them become teenaged mothers. One third of this fifty-seven percent do not finish high school. Eighty percent of teenaged mothers do not marry the father of their child. Eighty percent of them are unemployed and on welfare. The United States tax payer pays at least seven billion dollars each year to subsidize these teenaged moms. As of 2005, teenage pregnancy numbers are on the rise again, meaning that the tax payer is likely to have to pay even more money in the future.

More Upsetting Statistics

Other teenage pregnancy facts are even more alarming. On average the new born children of teenage mothers weigh less and are more likely to die in infancy. Those that survive are more likely to be abused or neglected. The children of teenaged parents are also less likely to succeed at school. The sons of teenage mothers are thirteen percent more likely to engage in illegal behavior and serve a prison sentence, costing the tax payer even more money. The daughters of teenage mothers are twenty-two percent more likely to become an adolescent parent, which means that the problem is cyclical in nature. The children of adolescent parents are also more likely to be mentally and emotionally unstable.

It's Not All Bad News

Although most teenage pregnancy facts are cause for alarm, some of the data is more optimistic. For example, according to teenage pregnancy facts adolescents who have a close emotional bond with their parents are less likely to become pregnant. The same is true of teens whose parents strongly advise them to abstain from sex until they reach adulthood.

What You Can Do

If you are the parent or grandparent of a teenager do not be afraid to talk to them about the subject of sex. Explain to them why it's important to wait until the age of eighteen before having sex and instead focus on maturing and getting an education. Also discuss the different forms of contraception and describe exactly how they should be used. It may also be useful to tell your adolescent child about some of the teenage pregnancy facts mentioned in this article so that they know about the consequences.