Teenage Pregnancy Decrease
By: Jazmyn J.
Back in the 90’s, teen pregnancy rates were at a historic high for teens 15–19 years old. Starting in 2009, pregnancy rates began to drop; but why?
“16 and Pregnant premiered on MTV”
In 2009, a now famous show titled “16 and pregnant” premiered on MTV. Each episode followed a teenage girl throughout her pregnancy. This focused on their pregnancy, raising a baby, and relationships with friends, family, and boyfriends.
Many people — especially adults — criticized the show for “glamorizing” teen pregnancy. Before you judge the show, just know that in the first 18 months since it premiere on television, there was a 5.7% reduction in teen birth rates.
Watching shows like 16 and pregnant or teen mom, shows teenagers what it’s really like raising and taking care of a baby.
In 2011, there were 553,000 pregnancies from 15–19 year old. That is 54.2 pregnancies per 1,000, 31.3 births per 1,000, and 13.5 abortions per 1,000.
“In 2014, a total of 249,078 babies were born to teenage girls”
In 2014, a total of 249,078 babies were born to teenage girls, which is about 24.2 per 1,000 woman in that age group, which is an historic low! It was a 11% decrease for women 15–17 years old, and a 7% decrease for woman 18–19 years old.
But it gets even better! Only 230,000 babies were born in 2015! Which is only 22 per 1,000 teens, and a 9.8% decrease from birth rates in 2014.
CNN reported that there are less women in their teens and 20’s having babies, and more women in their 30’s and 40’s having babies. Could it be the use of birth control, or are women just waiting until they’re stable enough to have children?
“75% of teen pregnancies are unplanned”
CNN also reported that fewer teens are getting pregnant, but it’s not because they’re having less sex. Teens are actually having the same amount of sex, if not more.
Birth control may have a huge factor in this. If you don’t use any form of birth control, there is a 85% chance of getting pregnant.
As of 2016, 75% of teen pregnancies are unplanned, 25% are planned, and 30% of teen pregnancies end in abortion. There has also been a 55% decrease of teen pregnancies in the last 20 years.
Maybe 16 and pregnant had something to do with the drop of teenage birth rates, or maybe teens are in fact delaying or reducing sexual activity. Whatever it is, it’s working and will continue to work until there are less and less teenage pregnancies.
By: Jazmyn J.
