January 27, 2011
Updates on Teen Pregnancy: The Statistics
Teen Pregnancy News
As teens all over the country resumed school after winter break, we think about ways to keep girls in school. Unfortunately, for teen moms education comes second in their lives:
• Parenthood is the leading reason why teen girls drop out of school; it’s difficult to juggle homework and a baby.
• Less than half of teen mothers graduate from high school and fewer than 2% earn a college degree by age 30.
• Children of teen mothers do worse in school than those born to older parents—they are 50% more likely to repeat a grade, less likely to complete high school than children of older mothers, and perform lower on standardized tests.
• About one quarter of teen moms have a second child within 24 months of the first birth—which can further delay their ability to finish school or maintain a job.
Support girls’ education by supporting adolescent pregnancy prevention! Resources and more information available at: stayteen.org and TheNationalCampaign.org.
Teen Birth Stats
Resident teen (15-19 yrs.) birth rates are the lowest they have been since 1990, when the teen rate was 34.1 births per 1,000.
Year Teen Births (15-19 yrs.) Population Estimate (15-19) Teen Birth Rate
2004 463 22,108 20.9
2005 431 22,209 19.4
2006 468 22,507 20.8
2007 495 22,331 22.2
2008 472 22,160 21.3
2009 393 22,539 17.4
Source: John Burley, Public Health Analyst, Department of Health, 2010
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Outreach Specialist Sarah Hoffert believes these statistics are important to Lund because:
“LFC’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Panels serve as part of a larger effort that Vermont is making to support teens making healthy, informed decisions around sexuality and sexual health. When schools are supported in teaching teens and youth age-appropriate information about healthy relationships and sexuality, teens are better prepared to make informed decisions around sex now and in the future. LFC Teen Pregnancy Prevention panels serve as an element of many schools’ wellness weeks and/or sexuality education; we present at over 50 middle and high schools, colleges, and youth organizations each year to provide vital information about the realities of being a pregnant or parenting teen and how to prevent teen and young adult unintended pregnancies.”
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