According to a 2011 study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 49% of all pregnancies in 2006 were unintended. Teens, not surprisingly, continue to be at the highest risk. Even though unintended pregnancy rates have declined slightly among teens, 4 in 5 pregnancies in girls 19 and younger are unintended.

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is challenged not only with an unintended pregnancy, but her child’s father is none other than the town’s beloved single minister, Arthur Dimmesdale. What challenges are faced by Hester as an unmarried mother? Fear Alienation Lack of support Depression Hoplessness

1.Defining the Social ProblemDefining the Social Problem 2.Gathering EvidenceGathering Evidence 3.Identifying CausesIdentifying Causes 4.Evaluating Existing Public PoliciesEvaluating Existing Public Policies 5.Developing Public Policy SolutionsDeveloping Public Policy Solutions 6.Selecting the Best Public Policy SolutionSelecting the Best Public Policy Solution

Using the provided links and worksheets, your group must gather evidence, identify causes, and develop a public policy solution. Each group member must be an active participant in this process (taking notes, doing research, communicating ideas, etc.).

Now that you have gathered evidence, identified causes, and developed a public policy solution, your group must now create a PowerPoint presentation that you will share with the governmental agency (the class) that will fund your proposal…hopefully. Your presentation must be at least 6 slides but no more than 12 slides.PowerPoint Remember to be engaging, informative, clear, and direct. Familiarize yourself with the rubric before beginning.rubric

Use the following sites to begin your research: National Institute of Health Illinois Dept. of Public Health Teen Pregnancy Statistics National Journal LA Times Washington Post CDC Statistics Teen Pregnancy Statistics-2 These links are merely a beginning point for your research. Feel free, in fact, feel compelled to do research beyond the links I have provided. Remember, use only reputable sites. A good rule of thumb is to limit your research to.edu or.gov sites.

Seeing the full scope of unintended pregnancies now consider the plight of Hester Prynne. Obviously her the culture of this era has significant differences from our own. Assume that you are Hester’s only confidant, what advice would you offer her? In your journal, write a letter to Hester offering her support, advice, and help.