Teen Pregnancy

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Teen pregnancy is huge issue in our society today.  Young teens, such as Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin are setting bad examples for other teenagers. Even though teen pregnancy and the birth rate is declining, teen pregnancy in the United States is still a growing problem.  "Among every 1000 teen girls in 2006, 42 gave birth and 19 had abortions" (Huus).  "Four out of 10 American teens are now engaging in permarital sex, according to the National Center for Health Statistics" (Arehart-Treichel). These rates show that our society is not taking the right actions to put an end to teen pregnancy in the United States. Young teens, in high school are making pacts to become pregnant because they think it is glamorous.  In most cases, the teen father gives little to no support to the mother and baby.  Teen pregnancy can effect a young girl's life in many ways.  Our society tries to offer options for teen mothers.  A girl can either give the baby up for adoption, keep it, or have an abortion.  "After considerable declines in teen birth and pregnancy rates between 1991 and 2005, teen birth rates rose unexpectedly in 2006 and 2007. To understand these recent trends, we examined historical changes in fertility, trends in sexual behaviors, social forces, and public policies that may influence teen fertility" (Santelli). 

http://info.umkc.edu/womenc/2010/07/21/is-tv-glamorizing-teen-pregnancy/

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