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ATLANTA, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Despite two decades of declining U.S. teenage birth rates -- women ages 15-19 -- state birth rates vary significantly, federal health officials say.
Whether or not a teenage mother chooses to abort her child has much to do with it. That varies significantly between states as well. For example, some states that have low teen birth rates have a high teen birth : abortion ratio. New York and New Jersey have the highest ratios, with 61% of teen pregnancies ending in abortion. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont are not far behind, with 53%, 49%, and 47% respectively. The states that the article cites as having a high teen birth rate also have some of the lowest teen abortion ratios - Texas with 17%, Mississippi with 16%, Arkansas with 13% Oklahoma with 15%, and New Mexico with 22%.
Whether or not a teenage mother chooses to abort her child has much to do with it. That varies significantly between states as well. For example, some states that have low teen birth rates have a high teen birth : abortion ratio. New York and New Jersey have the highest ratios, with 61% of teen pregnancies ending in abortion. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont are not far behind, with 53%, 49%, and 47% respectively. The states that the article cites as having a high teen birth rate also have some of the lowest teen abortion ratios - Texas with 17%, Mississippi with 16%, Arkansas with 13% Oklahoma with 15%, and New Mexico with 22%.
I agree with this, and throw in the (mainly religious based) idea that abstinence is an effective form of birth control for teenagers. While obviously it would be - if it were practiced - the fantasy that teenagers are going to wait until marriage to have sex is just that, a fantasy.
In this day, when people are not getting married until they are in their 30's, the idea is antiquated and impractical. It worked far more effectively when people would routinely marry between 18 and say 22, and went straight into the workforce out of high school, but you cannot realistically expect a teenager in the 21st century who is expected to go to college until their early 20's, and then embark on a career of some sort, to wait until marriage to have sex.
I would like to see the pharmaceutical companies develop a form of birth control, beyond condoms, which would be safe (as possible) and aimed specifically at young girls - taking into account that they are still developing, starting around 13 - 14. We've got to remove the stigma that surrounds putting your daughter on birth control at a young age. It's really, IMO, the most effective way to prevent teen pregnancy.
We've got to, as parents, face up to the idea that most 16 -17 year olds are going to start their sexual lives, whether we want them to or not.
I agree with this, and throw in the (mainly religious based) idea that abstinence is an effective form of birth control for teenagers. While obviously it would be - if it were practiced - the fantasy that teenagers are going to wait until marriage to have sex is just that, a fantasy.
In this day, when people are not getting married until they are in their 30's, the idea is antiquated and impractical. It worked far more effectively when people would routinely marry between 18 and say 22, and went straight into the workforce out of high school, but you cannot realistically expect a teenager in the 21st century who is expected to go to college until their early 20's, and then embark on a career of some sort, to wait until marriage to have sex.
I would like to see the pharmaceutical companies develop a form of birth control, beyond condoms, which would be safe (as possible) and aimed specifically at young girls - taking into account that they are still developing, starting around 13 - 14. We've got to remove the stigma that surrounds putting your daughter on birth control at a young age. It's really, IMO, the most effective way to prevent teen pregnancy.
We've got to, as parents, face up to the idea that most 16 -17 year olds are going to start their sexual lives, whether we want them to or not.
I agree with you whole heartedly. However the other part of the equation is STD's
OCP's are effective in preventing pregnancy but offer no STD protection, barrier methods are still necessary and must be emphasized.
I would like to see the pharmaceutical companies develop a form of birth control, beyond condoms, which would be safe (as possible) and aimed specifically at young girls - taking into account that they are still developing, starting around 13 - 14. We've got to remove the stigma that surrounds putting your daughter on birth control at a young age. It's really, IMO, the most effective way to prevent teen pregnancy.
What about male birth control---for males of all ages. I know it's coming for adult males, but sex/pregnanc/birth control bias has always made me sick.
Part of the stigma you talk about originates in gender bias in sexuality---women are sl%ts and man are studs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluedevilz
I agree with you whole heartedly. However the other part of the equation is STD's
OCP's are effective in preventing pregnancy but offer no STD protection, barrier methods are still necessary and must be emphasized.
Definitely, but a more dependable form of birth control should be used in conjunction with condoms because teens are less likely to abstain if they discover they dont' have a condom.
What about male birth control---for males of all ages. I know it's coming for adult males, but sex/pregnanc/birth control bias has always made me sick.
Part of the stigma you talk about originates in gender bias in sexuality---women are sl%ts and man are studs.
Definitely, but a more dependable form of birth control should be used in conjunction with condoms because teens are less likely to abstain if they discover they dont' have a condom.
I agree, that would be great. But it's not even a reality (male birth control) for adult men, let alone teenage boys. And if you're the parent of a daughter, are you going to leave the risk of her getting pregnant at 15 in the hands of a teenage boy?
If parents of adolescent males do their part in instilling the use of condoms into their kids at a very young age, and provide them with said prophylactics, that would be fantastic too. I say we throw everything we've got at it.
In the south, there is a lot of opposition to sex education classes that do anything other than talk about abstinence. On the Texas ballot, we have a proposition this year that insists on requiring a sonogram and looking at it for any mother who wants a *medically unnecessary* abortion. While I don't favor abortion, I think discriminating against women when this should be a decision between her and her doctor is a crime.
Note, we were just discussing this on another board and a Canadian member talked about the fact that starting in grade 5 and continuing every year until "Grade 12 Sex Day,* they got the information to make good decisions. Also the fact that you could get the morning after pill from any clinic or hospital for free was emphasized. The gross details about STDs grossed her out as well. Condoms were easily available and kids used them.
In the south, there is a lot of opposition to sex education classes that do anything other than talk about abstinence. On the Texas ballot, we have a proposition this year that insists on requiring a sonogram and looking at it for any mother who wants a *medically unnecessary* abortion. While I don't favor abortion, I think discriminating against women when this should be a decision between her and her doctor is a crime.
Note, we were just discussing this on another board and a Canadian member talked about the fact that starting in grade 5 and continuing every year until "Grade 12 Sex Day,* they got the information to make good decisions. Also the fact that you could get the morning after pill from any clinic or hospital for free was emphasized. The gross details about STDs grossed her out as well. Condoms were easily available and kids used them.
We need to do more of that here in the US.
The sexual education has nothing to do with it! In US and in UK children learn sexual education in schools! Yet these countries are the first two when it comes to teen pregnancies! Yet countries like Switzerland, Austria or some parts of Germany where the stupid sexual education is not learned there are no problems with teen pregnancy!
The same thing about the divorce rates and other mental problems!
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