1 Teen Pregnancy

2 Teen pregnancy rates in the United States have declined steadily in recent years. More than 60 of every 1000 teenage women gave birth in 1991 and 51 per 1000 in 1998 (the last year for which data are available).

3 This decline is thought to be attributed to more effective birth control practice and decreased sexual activity among teens. The most dramatic reduction – 23% - has occurred among African American teenagers.

4 Still, teenage pregnancy rates remain high. In the United States, approximately 1 million teenage girls become pregnant every year. As many as 5% of teenage girls give birth and, in 1997, about 13% of U.S. births were to teens. About 25% of teenage girls who give birth have another baby within 2 years. In order to lower teenage birthrates, teens must be educated about sex and the consequences of pregnancy.

5 Teen pregnancy is an important issue. There are health risks to the baby and children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer health, social, and emotional problems. There is an increased risk for complications such as premature labor during teen pregnancy and socioeconomic consequences as well.

6 Health Risks to Baby Teenage mothers are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregnancy, leading to low birthweight, which is associated with infant and childhood disorders and a high rate of infant mortality. Low-birthweight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed, which can result in complications such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems. Low-birthweight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed, which can result in complications such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems.

7 Teenage mothers tend to have poor eating habits and are less likely to take recommended daily multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. They are also more likely to smoke, drink, or take drugs during pregnancy, which can cause health problems for the baby.

8 Teenage mothers are less likely to seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus; keeping the mother’s weight in check; and advising the mother on nutrition and how she should take care of herself to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

9 According to the American Medical Association, babies born to women who do not have regular prenatal care are 4 times more likely to die before the age of 1 year.

10 Social, Emotional Problems Children born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, and cognitive and social stimulation. As a result, they may have an underdeveloped intellect and attain lower academic achievement. As a result, they may have an underdeveloped intellect and attain lower academic achievement. Children born to teenage mothers are at greater risk for abuse and neglect.

11 Boys born to teenage mothers are 13% more likely to be incarcerated. Girls born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers.

12 Other Consequences Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother, 80% of whom eventually rely on welfare. Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school and only about one-third obtain a high school diploma.

13 Teenage pregnancies are associated with an increased rate of delinquent behaviors in the fathers, including alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential. In the United States, the annual cost of teen pregnancies from lost tax revenues, public assistance, child health care, foster care, and involvement with the criminal justice system is estimated to be about $7 billion.

14 Teen Births Stats Number of live births to year olds: 425,493 Number of live births to year olds: 425,493 Birth rate for year olds: 43.0 live births per 1,000 population Birth rate for year olds: 43.0 live births per 1,000 population

15 Birth Rates for 15 – 19 yr olds 1991 in ND = in ND = 27.2

16 About 860,000 teenagers become pregnant each year, and about 425,000 give birth. About one in three teenagers becomes pregnant before age 20.3

17 About 17 percent of teen mothers go on to have a second baby within three years after the birth of their first baby.

18 Three million teens are affected by sexually transmitted diseases annually, out of a total of 12 million cases reported.

19 These include chlamydia (which can cause sterility), syphilis (which can cause blindness, maternal death, and death of the infant) and HIV (the virus which causes AIDS, which may be fatal to the mother and infant).

20 Every year 3 million teens--about 1 in 4 sexually experienced teens-- acquire an STD. In a single act of unprotected sex with an infected partner, a teenage woman has a 1% risk of acquiring HIV, a 30% risk of getting genital herpes and a 50% chance of contracting gonorrhea. In a single act of unprotected sex with an infected partner, a teenage woman has a 1% risk of acquiring HIV, a 30% risk of getting genital herpes and a 50% chance of contracting gonorrhea.

21 Chlamydia is more common among teens than among older men and women; in some settings, 10-29% of sexually active teenage women and 10% of teenage men tested for STDs have been found to have Chlamydia. Chlamydia is more common among teens than among older men and women; in some settings, 10-29% of sexually active teenage women and 10% of teenage men tested for STDs have been found to have Chlamydia.

22 Teens have higher rates of gonorrhea than do sexually active men and women aged Teens have higher rates of gonorrhea than do sexually active men and women aged In some studies, up to 15% of sexually active teenage women have been found to be infected with the human papillomavirus, many with a strain of the virus linked to cervical cancer. In some studies, up to 15% of sexually active teenage women have been found to be infected with the human papillomavirus, many with a strain of the virus linked to cervical cancer.

23 Teenage women have a higher hospitalization rate than older women for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is most often caused by untreated gonorrhea or Chlamydia. Teenage women have a higher hospitalization rate than older women for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is most often caused by untreated gonorrhea or Chlamydia. PID can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

24

25 Most teens (69%) agreed it would be easier for them to postpone sexual activities and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open and honest conversations with their parents. Survey – 19 yr olds

26 Teens offer various reasons why they don’t talk with their parents about sex, including concern about their parent’s reactions (83%), worry that their parents will think they are having sex (80%), embarrassment (78%), a feeling that they don’t know how to bring it up (77%), and the belief their parents won’t understand (64%),

27 More than half the teens (53%), say parents or their own morals, values, and religious beliefs influence their decisions about sex the most – far more than such other influences as friends, the media, teachers, and sex educators.

28 For Teens Thinking "it won't happen to me" is stupid; if you don't protect yourself, it probably will. Sex is serious. Make a plan. Just because you think "everyone is doing it," doesn't mean they are. Some are, some aren't — and some are lying. There are a lot of good reasons to say "no, not yet." Protecting your feelings is one of them.

29 You're in charge of your own life. Don't let anyone pressure you into having sex. You can always say "no" — even if you've said "yes" before. Carrying a condom is just being smart — it doesn't mean you're pushy or easy.

30 If you think birth control "ruins the mood," consider what a pregnancy test will do to it. If you're drunk or high, you can't make good decisions about sex. Don't do something you might not remember or might really regret.

31 Sex won't make him yours, and a baby won't make him stay. Not ready to be someone's father? It's simple: Use protection every time or don't have sex.

32 Take the Quiz Activity urces/teens/quiz/default.asp urces/teens/quiz/default.aspCopy: urces/data/pdf/notjust.pdf urces/data/pdf/notjust.pdf

33 Teen Parent Trouble with Law 27 Min

34 Teen Parents Who is Legally Responsible 20 Min