Teen pregnancy is continuing to be a problem throughout the United States, however, costing tax payers millions of dollars each year. Because these numbers are still high, teen pregnancy is still an existing problem that needs to be addressed. According to recent teenage pregnancy statistics presented by the Guttmacher Institute, teens are still having sex, but the number is going down with the number one reason for abstinence being because the teens are looking to avoid unexpected teen pregnancy. However, that does not stop the statistics from showing that there are still 750,000 women in the United States from ages 15 to 19 that become pregnant each year. The majority, about two-thirds, of all teens that get pregnant are in the 18 to 19 year old age range.
Other teen pregnancy statistics:
- Even though teen pregnancy rates throughout the United States are showing a downward trend, the U.S. still has one of the highest pregnancy rates of all of the developed nations.
- About 82 percent of all teen pregnancies are unplanned, and they account for about one-fifth of all unintended teenage pregnancies each year.
- Fifty nine percent of all teen pregnancies result in birth. The other 27 percent results in abortion and 14 percent ends in miscarriage, according to recent teenage pregnancy statistics.
- Ten percent of all births in the United States are to girls under the age of 19.
- About 86 percent of the decline in teenage pregnancies can be attributed to the use of contraception. The rest of the decline is because of the higher number of teens choosing to abstain from sexual activity.
Teen pregnancy risk factors:
The most at-risk groups for teen pregnancy, according to statistical evidence, demonstrates that black and Hispanic women have the highest teenage pregnancy rates. There are about 126 and 127 per 1,000 women respectively. Non-Hispanics or whites have the lowest rate of teen pregnancy with 44 per 1,000 women. The pregnancy rates among black teens has declined significantly however over the past few years from 1990 and 2005 more than 41 percent. Most teens, about 58 percent, report they would be very upset if they got pregnant. About 29 percent said they would be a little upset and the remaining number of teens said they would be little or very pleased.
Other risk factors involve teens from single-parent households or teens from a lower socioeconomic status. However, teens that begin dating and having relationships at a younger age are also at risk to become pregnant. Teens who are uneducated about sex and pregnancy prevention tactics like condom use and birth control are at the highest risk of becoming pregnant.
Teen pregnancy prevention:
Although teens who date and form romantic relationships at a younger age are more likely to engage in sexual activity and become pregnant, it is important to recognize that with the proper sex education, they can avoid getting pregnant. While abstinence is the only sure fire way to prevent teen pregnancies, more than half of all teens will have sex anyway. Because of this, it is important to express the likelihood of getting pregnant if the teens are not using proper protection efforts like condoms and birth control. Because most public schools are only allowed to discuss abstinence-only sex education, it is up to the parents to make sure their teens know how to make the smart decisions when it comes to having sex. It is important for parents to teach their children about condom use and birth control. Education is the best way to help your teen make smart decisions that can prevent issues like unintended teenage pregnancy as well as other serious consequences like sexually transmitted infections and diseases. If you are a teen, be sure you educate yourself about protecting yourself against unexpected pregnancy. If you are a parent, remember that it is your responsibility to teach your teen about the dangers of unprotected sexual activity.