Teen Pregnancy Rates in the USA
Overview
The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. The Center for Disease control says that one-third of girls get pregnant before the age of 20. Teenpregnancy.org, a site managed by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, states that there are "750,000 teen pregnancies annually. Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintended and 81 percent are to unmarried teens."
Educating teenagers about contraception makes them more likely to use contraception when they begin having sex, but it doesn't lower the age at first intercourse. Why? Probably because the decision where and with whom to become sexually active is a very complicated one, and may be rooted in family, peers, religion, the media and individual personality factors.
Facts on Teen Pregnancy:
• Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of high school
• Be and remain single parents
• Score lower in math and reading into adolescence
Prevention
If you are a teen thinking about having sex, the best way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is to educate yourself about different forms of contraceptive. The Public Health Agency of Canada states that 25 percent of young women who have intercourse without using a method of birth control will become pregnant within one month.
If you are a parent, it is important to talk to your teen about sex .
Treatment
If you or your teen becomes pregnant there are several resources that can help. Make sure you see your physician if you have any questions about pregnancy or contraceptives.
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-PLAN - 24 hour hotline will direct you to the clinic nearest to you.
National Office of Post Abortion Trauma
1-800-593-2273
National Abortion Federation
1-800-772-9100
National Adoption Center
1-800-862-3678 - dedicated to expanding adoption opportunities in the U.S.
The Independent Adoption Center
1-800-877-6736
Member Comments
by SchoolGirl5473 on September 18, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I think that the numbers should be posted to every possible place to show and tell girls AND guys to wait until they marry to have...sex. I believe that though the miracle of life is a wonderful one and gift from God, He does not want us to do this before we marry. He wants us to save ourselves for the person we would eventually marry. Save yourselves, and you will be blessed with the gift after the marriage!!
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:40 PM
It's awesome that you have your religion. Good for you. But you can't come onto a site and preach your beliefs to everyone. Having sex before marriage does not mean that you are going to hell. If someone chooses to wait, all the more power to them, but if they choose to be sexually active, we have to provide them with accurate information and educate them on what the reality of sex and teen pregnancy is.
Pretending that kids aren't going to have sex never helped anyone and abstinance-only sex education programs have been shown to be less effective than comprehensive sex education. That is to say, trying to scare kids away from sex by using false statistics or using false claims such as "Over half of all gays in the United States have HIV/AIDS" has never worked and will never work. The same could be said with trying to scare them away from sex by making them fear for their immortal soul or their place in Heaven.
I am not saying that I approve of very young people being sexually active, but that is a decision they are going to make for themselves, based on their values and beliefs, and we can only do our part to make sure they are safe and educated in every possible way.
by Girl2Read7392 on September 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I know several people who are expecting, but only one is under the age of eighteen. I believe that while a miracle of life is wonderful, I do agree with SchoolGirl about waiting til marriage. I have seen in the Bible that a gift to your spouse after you are united as one (Genesis 2.24) is your body, giving yourself. Then, you would be able to create and give life that God has given to you. Be careful, for though you not wait, consequences will come along. Save yourselves to give as a blessing to your marriage in the future!!
by funda53 on September 26, 2008 at 12:10 AM
wWnderful to see ca plethora of links on this important topic. Thanks for all the info. As a mother of 2 teenage girls, I want to educate them not only with our family's values, but with the critical thinking skills that will allow them to make informed decisions and not "fall into" life. Letting life happen to you, instead of taking charge of your life is one of the hugest mistakes you can make. Because a famous comedian once said...life is not short, life is long, especially when you make mistakes!
by GetTheFacts on October 10, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Both boys and girls are subject to peer pressure, societal pressure, and to feeling that "everyone is doing it" and not all young people are armed with sufficient information or self esteem to make the decisions we'd like them to make.We can change that part of the equation by helping young men and women understand their own worth, and by arming them with the information they need to make good decisions. This starts with making sure that parents have enough information to intelligently discuss sex--not just intercourse, but sexuality as well--and to share their family's values comfortably with their children. It continues with comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education programs in EVERY public school, and with community support for keeping our kids healthy and safe.
by GetTheFacts on October 10, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Both boys and girls are subject to peer pressure, societal pressure, and to feeling that "everyone is doing it" and not all young people are armed with sufficient information or self esteem to make the decisions we'd like them to make. We can change that part of the equation by helping young men and women understand their own worth, and by arming them with the information they need to make good decisions. This starts with making sure that parents have enough information to intelligently discuss sex--not just intercourse, but sexuality as well--and to share their family's values comfortably with their children. It continues with comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education programs in EVERY public school, and with community support for keeping our kids healthy and safe.
by chelseygurl05 on November 19, 2008 at 8:06 PM
What are your opinions on marriage because of pregnancy? That way they're trying to right that wrong... what if it ends up being the worst possible thing for that person. I know a lot of people who had children before graduating high school and they all made the conscious decision to completely devote their life to having the best life possible for those children. They went out to get jobs and ended up going to college getting degrees as well as meeting their (now) husbands. I am personally offended by the number of teen pregnancies there are in this country, but there are facts just like this that go completely unknown and never shared. I think that the focus shouldn't be on preventing teen pregnancy because it's going to continue to happen no matter what we tell the future generations. I think our effort should be focused on educating those that are going through teen pregnancy that they aren't alone and it isn't the end of the world; they can still follow their dreams and end up making an amazing life for herself and her child.
by giggles2015 on November 20, 2008 at 1:07 PM
About a week ago i found out that my friend is going to have a child. We are both fresfmans in high school. I have already told her that she will not get an abortion. We tell each other everything. And we have talked about what we would if someone wanted us to have sex with them. I just didnt think this could happpen to her. She told me she didnt mean to hurt evryone. Her dad hasnt said two words to her since she told he tuesday. Her mom understands because she was a pregnant teen. Her mom just hoped she wouldnt make the same mistakes she did. I am going to support her all the way through out this. She has already ask me to be the God Mother! Well of course I said yes! I hope anyone that reads this will think before they have sex. My friend broke up with the dad today. Her life is now falling apart. Unlike her some other teen my not have close friends to help support them. So think before you have sex unsafely. It will change your life FOREVER!
by clarinetplayer on February 20, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I think that's great you told her to keep the baby and are sticking with her. Tell her to get back together with the father though she needs him.
by YMBABYDOll on December 4, 2008 at 4:08 PM
WEll IM BEARLY 15 YRS 0lD BUT I BEEN TROUGH AlOT,
& WUT I THINk ABOUT THIS IS THAT TEENS NOW DAYS D0N'T THINK ABOUT WUT CAN HAPPEN BY HAVING SEX WE THINK THAT IS WAY TO HAVE FUN! BUT FO REALS IT WIll BRING US A BAD FUTURE; I JUST BEEN SO INTERESTED IN THIS SUBJECT OF TEEN PREGNACY & I HAVE READ ENOUGH I JUST WANT TO LET All THOSE GIRLS TO NOT FAll FOR SOME LIKE THIS & MOST IMPORTANT DONT CONSIDER ABORTION A WAY TO END UP WID THIS PROBLEM, I THINk THAT IF YOU WERE MATURE ENOUGH TO CONSIDER TO HAVE SEX YOU NEED TO BE MATURE ENOUGH TO BE A MOTHER! IF YOU LIVE NOW DAY IS CAUSE YOUR MOTHER HAVE YOU LIFE, DONT KIll A LITTLE PERSON THAT NOW IS PART OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE IS IS NOT HIS FAULT!
by BYATES420 on January 9, 2009 at 9:28 AM
little girl you need to lay off the sex and get your learn on. the onlt thing more disgusting and sad that a fifteen year old pretending to be a mother is you lack of knowlegde on anything. especially your language..so "WUD I IS SAYING IS GET OFF YOUR KNEES AND PICK UP A BOOK."
by drorie on January 16, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Well regardless of how much you think you have been trhough you have no right to tell another women what she should do with her body. Sex is real and the consiquences of unportected sex are apparent so i find it very hard to believe that teens arent aware. I'm 18 years old and having safe sex is beyond important, yes to avoid hardships like abortions, but also to protect yourself. You get one body and you need to do your best to protect that body. YMBABYDOLL you are portraying yourself as an idiot. Your 15 years old girl and dont forget it...you dont know everything and have many more lesson to learn. Educate yourself, protect yourself and make choices for yourself, if you feel like YOU shouldnt have an abortion because it is wrong, then dont have one or protect yourself as best as possible. But dont make others who feel like abortion is the right choice for them feel that they are wrong. People make mistakes all the time, but how you deal with those mistakes and makesure you learn from that mistakes is the important part. Educate yourself protect yourself and make decisions for yourself.
-Dennisse
by aylaloveschey on January 22, 2009 at 12:21 PM
i know a girl that had a baby and lost it to sids and my best girl friend was dating her could it be because she was gay
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM
No. Being gay does not make your babies die.
by Badass12 on February 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM
wow all of you are pathetic get a life seriously especially you girls that say your pregnet...and ones that say there godmothers...you all are dumb and you kno what we all dnt have have sex just to fit in we do it because its our choice ok so get over it...its not our fault some of us can get some and some of us cant so really think before you post stuff about being a mother on the internet to everyone can see...much love
by mamania1 on August 8, 2009 at 5:32 PM
you are funny, you must think you have something special. "its our choice ok so get over it...its not our fault some of us can get some and some of us cant" - anyone can get some, but for your own sense of worth, aviod it. If you just have to "get some" be responsible and protect yourself and your partner.
by Badass12 on February 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Well you know what mr.ganderson1 that is killing a human life right there whether it is produced or not..you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to give your friend an excuse. And there are ways to get a good education and make something of yourself even though you are pregnant. Sometimes accidents happen and that doesn't mean that person is bad or a screw up. That just means that they had a miracle happen and why would you want to ruin it? Because then you will think back and say "wow I actually killed my own kid"..Is that what you want? think about it you dumbass
by Badass12 on February 13, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Ya that's right..you guys don't say shxt now hahaha =))
by gwc33 on February 15, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Teen pregnancy is not the problem. Unwed mothers is the problem. Current laws make it virtually impossible for a girl under 18 who decides she wants to have sex to get married first. Parents need to teach and laws need to change where girls have the choice if they want to be active sexually. Boys do not get pregnant and should be taught that sex with any girl without concent is rape.
by pinkiegemini on February 16, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I can not believe some of the stuff that I am reading on here. I am a 27 year old professional. I too, had a child when I was ONLY 16 years old. Although it has been hard for me, I have worked my A** off to not be just another statistic. I would never recommend anyone (teenager) to have an abortion or to through the pregnancy. That choice is theirs. The problem in todays society is that we "tell" teenagers that if they get pregnant and decide to keep the baby, it is the end of their life - IT IS NOT. Yet, we tell them that if they have an abortion, it will save them - in other words, they will have a better life. Come on now, please be realistic. there are many adults out there having babies, but they are still "screw ups." It does not matter at what age you have a child - but are you willing to stop thinking about yourself and give all your time to a child when you are only a child yourself?
Like I mentioned before, I had a child at the mere age of 16 and have raised my daughter on my own since then. I cannot stress enough how hard it has been for my daughter and me, but I have managed to give her everything she NEEDS, not what she wants, but NEEDS.
With all the struggle, I have also worked hard to be where I find myself today. I now have a Bacherlors in Business Administration and currently working on my Masters in Adult Education. I am not encouraging other teens to go and be unsafe, but if you are a teenager and have made the choice to be sexually active, please be careful.
It is up to you to make the choice, if you are pregnant. if you are the one that is pregnant, make the choice to keep the baby or have an abortion, because it is best for you. Remember if you go through with the pregnancy there is always the option of putting the baby up for adoption.
by clarinetplayer on February 20, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I think that this whole thing with the teens and having babies is that most didn't think before they did. I know someone who's had sex and almost got pregnant. I made out with guys and regret it because they always want to go farther and i almost do. don't make the wrong choice.
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Wait, most didn't think before they did think? Specify, man!
I make out and almost get pregnant all the time!!! Scary shit, man!
by clarinetplayer on February 20, 2009 at 5:51 PM
I have a friend who's pregnant and keeping the and 13! She was doing bad stuff. I almost went all the but decided not to.
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Holy shit! She's screwed. Tell her that for me, will you?
by Badass12 on February 24, 2009 at 10:36 AM
HATERS Deleting Our Comments LOL =))
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Not so much 'haters' as...more intellectual human beings trying to keep this board from being polluted with absurd and misleading information.
by dimples1 on March 2, 2009 at 4:59 AM
There are man young ladies that are pregnant at my school and i'm only in junior high. About an estimate of 9 seventh graders and and estimate guess of 12 eighth graders. This teen pregnancy rate is getting to out of hand. And the bad part is that their mom is not even worried about it. We need to do somthing quickly before it gets even worse!!!!
by 09MelendezM on March 3, 2009 at 9:01 AM
I myself am a senior in high school and had a baby my junior year and am still in school. Many see this as a bad thing but that is only if you let it be a negative thing. Dont get me wrong it is hard having a baby at a young age but if you do end up in that situation there is also a positive side there is help out there if needed. You mainly need the support of your friends and family they may tell you things you dont agree with or dont want to hear but just hear them out they are just looking out for your best interest.
by Truetruthseeker on March 8, 2009 at 7:47 PM
1 Peter 4:7 says: But the end of all things has drawn close. Be sound in mind, therefore, and be vigilant with a view to prayers.
Proof
1. High Prices [And I heard a voice as if in the midst of the four living creatures say:
"A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine. Revelation 6:6]. n.b. denarius = a day's wages [approx.]
2. No Peace; wars, violence, crimes etc. on the INCREASE [And another came forth, a fiery-coloured horse; and to the one seated upon it there was granted to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another; and a great sword was given him. Revelation 6:4].
3. Deadly Plagues, Food Shortages, Political killings. [.... And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortages and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth. [Revelation 6: 8b]. n.b. wild beasts sometimes refer to political elements.
4. Ridiculers, Proceeding according to their OWN DESIRES. [For you know this first, that in the LAST DAYS there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: "Where is this promised presence of his?
Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing
exactly as from creation's beginning." 2 Peter 3:3, 4].
5. Critical Times. [But know this, that in the LAST DAYS critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 Timothy 3:1]
by Truetruthseeker on March 8, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Signs of the Last Days Continued.
6. Money Lovers, Egotists, Haughtiness abound. [For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal... 2 Timothy 3:2].
7. Fierceness, unwillingness to agree abound. [having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness.
2Timothy 3:3].
8. Lovers of Pleasures, Rather than Lovers of God. [betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:4]
9. Religious Hypocrisy abounds. [having a form of godly devotion but proving FALSE to its power; and from these turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5].
10. Boisterous Crowds increase. [Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and
stars, and on earth ANGUISH of NATIONS, NOT KNOWING THE WAY OUT because of the ROARING of the SEA and [its] AGITATION. Luke 21:25]
n.b. sea here, denotes man alienated from God. Compare Isaiah 57:20, Jude 13.
11. Preaching of Good News, increases. [And this good news of the kingdom will be
preached in ALL the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and THEN the
END WILL COME. Matthew 24:14].
12. Knowledge Increases. ["And as for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the TIME of [THE] END. MANY will ROVE about, and the [true] knowledge will BECOME ABUNDANT." Daniel 12: 4]
iplease see Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13 etc.
by Truetruthseeker on March 8, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Ever since man first sinned, mankind has largely been alienated from Almighty God. Colossians 1: 21- 23; John 8: 44; Romans 5: 12; Romans 6:17, 18.
2 Corinthians 4:4
We, all of us, as God's creatures, are endowed with FREE WILL, that is, we can decide what we will or will not do. Acts 17: 24 - 31; Romans 1: 18 - 32.
Romans 6: 16; Proverbs 23: 17; Proverbs 27: 11; Proverbs 21: 21.
I do take the heavens and the earth as WITNESSES against you today, that I have put LIFE
and DEATH before you, the BLESSING and the MALEDICTION, and you MUST CHOOSE
LIFE in order that you may KEEP ALIVE, you and your offspring. Deuteronomy 30: 19.
Almighty God, being, a God of Wisdom, Power, Justice and Love, has designated a WAY OUT for OBEDIENT MEMBERS of mankind. Genesis 3:15;
1 Corinthians 15: 21, 22; Revelation 12: 10 - 12, John 1: 29; Matt. 24: 36.
2 Peter 2: 9; 2 Peter 3: 3 - 9.
God ALMIGHTY has allowed his ONLY begotten Son Jesus Christ, to PAY the FULL price of Adam and Eve's indiscretion and disobedience [John 3:16]; 1 Corinthians 15:45.
[1 Corinthians 11: 3] As family head, Adam's perfect life NEEDED another perfect MAN's LIFE to FULLY PAY that DEBT of sin, ERASING the PENALTY of DEATH to those who ACT by placing their FAITH and WORKS in this
provision. James 2: 17; Romans 5:12; Romans 6: 23; John 1: 29;
Revelation 5: 5 - 7.
Now, is the TIME for us to ACT, in taking our STAND for TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS, thus PROVING the Devil to be the LIAR that he truly is.
Revelation 3: 15-18; Revelation 12: 9; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 6;
Phillipians 4: 5 - 9; Acts 21: 25; John 17: 3; Matthew 24: 13.
Warning others, about God's judgment through his Son, Jesus Christ, requires that we PREACH to as MANY who will LISTEN to us. Matthew 24:14; Acts 1: 8; Romans 10:10; 2 Tim. 4: 1- 5.
by mamania1 on August 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Nice post and so very true!
by Badass12 on March 17, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Whoever this was chruch stop spamming this page , & go read a bible or something..
=P
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I might do as you suggest if your comment made any sense whatsover. Learn English.
by bookiebaybee on March 25, 2009 at 6:22 AM
lmaO teen preqOOO........sO nastyy
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Couldn't have put it more eloquently myself.
by Mudkipz on April 16, 2009 at 9:09 AM
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by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I agree.
by singlemommy2005 on April 20, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Although I believe that teenage pregnancy is a problem in our society, I must stick up for us single mothers that are doing the right thing. I am a 21 year old single mother. I got pregnant when I was 17, had my son when I was 18. While I did drop out of school at first, I got a job, and later went back to school for my GED, and am now attending college full time. Not all single teenage mothers have to struggle, there is help out there, everywhere, you just have to look.
by mamania1 on August 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM
the only problem I see with your post is that all that help costs money, so someone is having to pay for you to play, and really when you play, you should be the one to pay. I know young people think the 'government' is paying for them to get that education and take care of that baby (and the mom), but where does the 'government' get that money? Children who want to play like adults should be responsible for thier actions.
by shadowsplay on October 15, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I have to agree with mamania. When you play you should have to pay the cost of your actions, not the tax payers. Couples that have children do not get the type of help that single mothers get, it's a bit unfair since our taxes help pay for your welfare and education. Educate yourself about birth control and use it instead of making it a way of life. I have seen my share of unwed mothers using the education system as a tool for earning a living since it is FREE MONEY. I work at a college and see many get the grants take the classes and drop at least 2 of those by mid term. Makes it hard for me to be nice these days to those that brag about the foodstamps, k-tap or the fact they can work and still draw welfare as long as they are taken 6 hours a semester. The government needs to stop given out free rides and make these women that are having children as a way to support themselves. More then one child out of wedlock is all that anyone should be allowed, if you decide to have more then you figure out who pays for the daycare and its welfare.
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Well I think it's fantastic that you managed to live your life. Maybe it's not the way you imagined it to be, but you took what may have been an undesirable situation and made the best out of it. I pay taxes, and I am perfectly fine with the idea that some of my money is going to help single mothers financially.
Isn't that part of being a good person? Helping others who aren't in the same peaches-and-perfection situation that you may be in?
So KUDOS to you, singlemommy2005, and may my tax dollars go to helping you out.
by leefigueroa1 on August 22, 2009 at 11:03 AM
i hope there is a way for the young, inexperienced teenage girls to go back and read the comments they posted here a few years from now when they're 20, 21, 22 years old. you will then see how foolish your way of thinking is. i'm not here to bash you. you're teenagers and you are going through a stage that all teens go through. but the topic of teenage pregnancy is not something to be taken lightly. going through with a pregnancy is a personal choice and one should not be ridiculed for what they decide is best for themselves and their families. education starts at home with the parents. teens, if you don't have parents that are willing to discuss these pressing issues with you, PLEASE, i urge you to behave like a responsible young adult and educate yourselves. NOT by listening to who you think your friends are, but by READING. your local library is a wonderful resource and the internet is not just good for myspace you know. :) the rate of STD's amongst teens is STAGGERING. why isn't anyone concerned about that? having a teen with an STD and have a pregnant teen are both unfortunate but if i HAD to choose between the 2, i'd much rather be a young grandmother than bury my child because he/she decided to have unprotected sex and contracted HIV. make your choices wisely. if you have nobody to talk to, PLEASE send me a message and i will be MORE than happy to mentor ANY teen who is willing to listen.
by mamawife on September 24, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I am an 18 year old i got pregnant when i was 17 and had the baby when i was 17. after the babys dad found out i was pregnant he left me. he told me that he had better thing to do then sit around and take care of a baby. whe i told my dad he was mad but he was there to help me. after i had the baby him and his wifed kicked me out. i ended up getting back with a boyfriend that i had been with on and off for 5 years. (not the babys dad) He took the baby as his own the baby has his last name and everything. Life is really hard now i dont get to do the things i want to do and somethines i jsut want to cry. Me and him are now married and live happy with the baby. I think grils that are having babys at 14 should still be at home playing with barbie dolls not having sex. and the girls that are the aage that i was should be hanging out with there friends not haveing sex. Girls wait tell your a little bit older you dont want the life that most of use other girls have had. Im not saying wait tell you are married but wait tell you at least get out of high school. you cant get any kind of good job with out a diploma. be smart and if you are going to have sex be smart about it.
by cherishhouse on October 17, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I agree that there is a real rise in teen pregnancy rates in our area. We run a maternity home for girls between the ages of 12 and 23 and it is amazing how many girls are coming to our maternity home that are under 16. Just this past couple of months we have had a 13 and a 14 year old girl have babies. When we see the families of these girls struggle with how to deal with their little girls having babies it breaks your heart. But there is hope for these families as we have seen relationships restored through our counseling process while they are at our maternity home. These families find that by bringing their daughters to our home they are given a chance to think through all of their options and develop a plan for their family when the baby comes. It also minimizes the stress levels in the homes of these girls because they find our maternity home to be like a home away from home but with a focus on their needs while they are pregnant. Many girls have never had this kind of undivided attention in their lives and grow to love the attention. I do want to say to all parents of teenagers and especially those of girls, PLEASE spend time listening to your teen, and try to give encouragement and lots of hugs to them because what we see and hear from most of the girls who come to Cherish House is that they wished their parents would have listened more to them and showed that they cared more.
by UrMum on October 18, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Once Upon A Time...
A skanky 12 year old got pregnant because she didn't get enough love from Daddy. Really? Get the FRICK over it!
This generation is gross. Seriously. Don't have sex. It's nasty. I mean really, think about it! It's just disgusting. We don't need you overpopulating the Earth even more with your bastard children. Also, don't bring a poor, innocent child into this shithole world. It's mean, and anybody who does it is an ass. The End.
by mercedes91 on November 5, 2009 at 1:32 PM
I feel like every one on here dat's downing teenage mothers can judge because it's not them experiencing it firsthand. if it was u in this situation how would u react? Im 18 bout to give birth to my son and im doing very well for my self still in school and still with my boyfriend. things happen so what get over urselfs. n for those who down teenage mothers fuck u and the horse u rode in on dats my opinion. go through what teenage mothers go through and see if ur opinion still remains the same.
by christy111 on November 8, 2009 at 11:51 AM
oh please. for the girls out there that have had babies, you cannot tell me that you dont wish you would have waited. having to use the government to feed your child is nothing to be proud of. abortion is morally wrong and condoms can get in the way, i understand. BUT JUST GO TO YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CLINIC AND GET A YEAR'S WORTH OF THE LITTLE BLUE PILL THAT YOU SIMPLY TAKE ONCE A YEAR AND THATS IT!! YOU ARE THEN PROTECTED!! IT IS SO EASY!! i have been married since 3 days after i turned 18. i am now 20. i have been on the pill since my wedding day. i am always protected. this is so easy. please, just take the pill. it wont protect u from stds, but at least you wont be putting another child into this world before youre ready so it can suffer from your mistakes!! idc if youre married or a teen or whatever. you need to be responsible and be able to afford that baby, or dont create it!!!!! wait til u get a good income. be able to provide your child with a great life first!!
i mean, look at all these people psting comments. talking ebonics and saying they have a kid. you know that theyre dumb as a brick. you dont want to be like that. you want your child to be great and successful =]
by mrshannigan on November 9, 2009 at 11:33 PM
"Civilized" humans are the only creatures on earth that wait an entire generation AFTER reaching sexual maturity before they reproduce. Humans were made by God. The bible was written by MAN. If man is so currupt, why would you believe his book rather than God's design for humans? Humans have sex. Attaching a social stigma to teen pregnancy is wrong. Humans are here to love one another, no matter how old they (or their parents) are. No religion believes that God judges us based upon finances, yet that's what's spoken of when it comes to teen pregnancies.
by princessbre16 on November 11, 2009 at 5:01 PM
i myself am 19 years old and i am expecting a baby. this was not planned because i was taking birth control at the time that i got pregnant and obviously it was not planned, but me and by boyfriend did say that we wanted to have a baby but knew without being finished with college and still in school we wouldn't be able to financially raise a baby. when i found out i was pregnant i didnt know what to do b/c i still t\live with my grandmother and knew she wouldn't want me living in her home with a baby. what i am trying to get at is that i too believe everyone should wait until marriage to have sex but that would make me a hypocrite, but it is how i feel because i dont want to see other girls my age or even younger to get pregnant because not even having this baby yet, is hard, because i have to find my own place to live until my fiancee gets back from bootcamp and the job i have doesn't give me enough to do that because of the things i have to pay for for school. it is very hard. i dont regret getting pregnant because i feel like God brought this baby into our lives for a reason. but i dont think anyone should have sex before marriage, especialy if you are a young teenager because you dont have a good enough job to raise a baby for the rest of its life because even after they turn 18, you are STILL raising them helping them with everything. sometimes, even a person who works at a high end job who makes A LOT of money, cant financially have a baby, there's rent, baby food baby clothes, baby formula, diapers, etc. these things are not cheap. think twice before have sex. take it form me, not all protection works, on birth control, i was that .1 percent
by shannnnnnnnnna on November 13, 2009 at 7:35 AM
i think all of yall bitches are stupiddddd. you dk what its like untill you go thru it yourselfff.
by urdad on November 13, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Wow. Yall all are gayyyyy.
by shannnnnnnnnna on November 13, 2009 at 7:40 AM
shit, you more gay !
by EmilyGull on November 13, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I think that you should stay abstinent until marriage to prevent STD's and teen pregnancy. But If you do choose to have sex, be sure you are prepared for all of the consequences of having sex at such a young and immature age. Along with sex comes emotional, physical and mental consequences...Be smart about it. Use a condom. If you don't feel ready to have sex don't let pressure influence you.
by bjazzy on November 22, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I think TEENS SHOULD GET PREGNANT BEFORE THEY MARRY SO THEY KNOW WUT ITS LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE KICK YOU AND COME OUT OF U SO THEY KNOW WHY THEY SHOULD HAVE WAITED SO THEY COULD MARRY AND THEN HAVE SEX.
by iamhorny on November 25, 2009 at 1:30 AM
yesyes, me and emily and naomi are in school we 3 are preggers and need help in knowing how 2 luk afta dah babay.
by iamhorny on November 25, 2009 at 1:33 AM
YOO DOWG.
ITZ ME AGAIN.
CAN YOOH GHET HIV 4RM GIVIN SOME1 A BJ TING TO THE TINGTING.
SAFE 4 DAH KNOWLEDGE CMNTS I IZ APRECCITATIN MAH LYF COZ I IZ PREGGARS ND WANTIN TO AVE DHIS BABBAY BHUT WE HAZ PROBLEMZ IN DHIS LYF.
WE LOVE DAH PREGGERS SKANKS OUT DERE,,
EEN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
by shianna on December 5, 2009 at 11:15 AM
okay listen here everyone you should not judge you might end up going through it yourself! lets not feel sorry or be mean because a teen is pregnant its going to keep happening and we can't do anything about it! teens reading this i am 14 and i have been asked to have sex but i turned it down because the risk of my future is not worth losing for some who doesn't respect me or my body! my mom had me at 14 the same as i am now she had to drop out of school and take care of me and in some way i feel like if it weren't for me that her life would have turned out to be a whole lot better. I'm not haten on teen mothers i just think that i abortions are wrong and there is not need for them there are people who can't get pregnant that would love to have that babys life that your killing!adoption is the way to go! i am adopted to so i no how this works! i'm just saying sometimes people lie to you just to get you to sleep with them, why not wait till you find that man or women that loves you and is welling to give you and your child a chance at life!
~shianna
by surfsup14 on December 9, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I was only 17 when I found out I was pregnant. I kept my baby and since then I have been just fine. Everybody thinks that a teen who gets pregnant will not get anywhere in life but I graduated High School with a normal diploma and have started college. I did marry the father and it was probably the best decision I have ever made. I never thought it was the end of the world I just saw it as a bump in the road that I could get over.
by Aly142 on January 7, 2010 at 1:16 PM
My husband, six-year-old son and I want to adopt a baby. We are working with a great agency here in northern california. You can find our story here: http://www.alysonandsteven.com. If you are considering adoption, please let us know.
by angelangel on January 19, 2010 at 10:42 AM
I can't be more in agreement with you, schoolgirl 5473... God wants us to WAIT before having sex before marriage... As a matter of fact, right now I'm writing an essay (not for school, but because I BELIEVE) on abortion and how sooo many teens choose that way out... BECAUSE of sex before marriage. See how many problems it causes?? Broken hearts, suicide, murder/abortion (cuz they're the same thing), embarassment, loss of friends, loss of your dignity, loss of virginity... JUST WAIT!!! For the right guy that God has chosen for you to have sex with.
by RedHeadHero on January 20, 2010 at 9:15 AM
hi there my nane is Jade Lee and well i am not pregnant....... but my sister was and um i am researching this so i though i would start one of these things........... i do wnat a kid but not now i am wayyyyy to young nad sex can wait lol
by mommytay on January 22, 2010 at 10:19 AM
it a pig
by teenmother1992 on January 25, 2010 at 7:43 PM
You know how every one says prgnet girl's drop out or cant go to school cause we have a baby. Well I think it's up to the pregnant mother to continue school or go back... But we can make it though life as a normal person we just have to put our hearts in to our life and think about the babys futre. Yea it's hard sometimes but it wont kill me it's just making me a stronger person. Im 17 and I have 7 month old im still going to school. Im going to make it throgh high school and I will go to collage I know I will for me and my baby. Yea some do lose alot when pregnet like me my father does not want to have nothing to do with me an my baby but thats his loss of somthing so wonderful.Im still with the babys father and we do plan on geting married. Not every teen mother is the same.. It's the choices we make as young mothers. I dont regret having her for anythig!
by icey21 on February 5, 2010 at 9:51 AM
I need some help im pergo and im 17 and my bf is 20 what do i do cuz i need to know the laws my mom kicked me out now im liven with him i feel alone im 10 weeks plz email me and help me out its bridgesashley65@yahoo.com
by vonzilla28 on February 11, 2010 at 8:57 AM
heyy. ummm i dont really know you guys but im doing a project for school on teen pregnancies. Thanks for all the great advice. Ive seen a lot of different views form a lot of different sides. but i deffinately agree that abortion is the wrong way to go. if you think your responsible enough to have sex then you should be responsible enough to raise your baby. or atleast give it up for adoption. i miean i know lots of people that want children and cant have them. Ohwell. JUST THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU MAKE SUCH A BIG DECISION!!! btw. im thirteen and i need statistics on teen pregnancies so please. COMMENT!!! COMMENT!! COMMENT!!! :]
by flowerslaramie on February 18, 2010 at 8:42 AM
well i'm 19 and i had my son at 18 and was pregnant at 17. its a lot harder than it looks and mine was completly unintended but i got lucky because the father of mine and I are completly in love and are married and have been since dec. 31st 2008.....if u have any questions about anything i would be glad to help
by HeartSoPure on February 19, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Well as of right now i'm a 16 year old junior about 2 be 17 still in high school who is expecting a baby girl... I'm 5 months due in June. Its very stressful because me and the father are no longer together. I dnt believe having a baby at a young age messes up your life but i do believe it would make it harder. But i am still focused on school getting A's in all my classes. The father wanted me 2 get an abortion because he said he wasn't ready but i dnt believe in killing an unborn baby. It's not the baby's fault. I have my mom and many friends and famaily 2 support me. Ppl choose to drop out and be a failure because they aren't mature enough. I respect everyones opinion.. But me being a teen mother I know what I have 2 do, knowing it won't be easy but Imma do what i gotta do 4 the both of us.BUT I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE TEENAGERS IN SCHOOL IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF BEING A KID IS FUN.. WHEN YOU FEEL YOU ARE READY 2 TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY ON THEN IT IS YOUR CHOICE BUT DNT DO IT CUZ YOUR FRIEND OR FRIENDS ARE. MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF.
by Ahmend on February 28, 2010 at 2:20 AM
Pls male and female teens pregnancy pregnantcy is not good ideal to a young of 15_19 so pls let avoid it
by redhead16 on March 2, 2010 at 8:25 AM
I am a 16 year old girl and i am NOT PREGNANT!
My best friend is 15 years old and was already pregnant, she lost her baby, but i also know a lot of teens with babies and that are expecting, and only ONE of them is a responsible person. My ex boyfriend is barely 17 and his babies mom is now 20, she got pregnant when he was 15!PEER PRESSURE GOES FOR GUYS TOO!My brother has a pregnant girlfriend and she just turned 18 and neither one of them have a job or a liscence, or a stable home, my bestfriends brother is 16 and he also has a pregnant girlfriend, i have another friend and she is barely 17 and she is also pregnant and has no where to live, the bottom line here is that people need to know about sex because if we dont teach them then they will never know! We cant expect people to rely on "abstinence only" bs because obviously its NOT working, you cant make mamals work against biology. We are biologically programed to have sex, but the thing is we need to be safe about it and you people who teach your jesus BS are the ones who are the root cause of these unwanted pregnancy!
by Sac1otero on March 5, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Are teen pregnancies only occurring in certain area's or is it just in general cities? or maybe small towns? Why is it the statistics of teen pregnancy have risen so drastically? I thought I would be the first one pregnant when I was in H.s I'm 21 and been in a relationship with the same guy since I was 15. Now I believe about 50% or more of my previous classmates have kids now. I'm at a loss for words on how and why this has been occurring. Its just my curiosity I have nothing against young mothers.
by annatopneezy on March 10, 2010 at 3:37 PM
I dont think teens should be aloud to have birth control and suffer the consequences because they know what they r doing and when u have no protection u should just stop and think about being a baby with a baby
by worldchanger03 on March 13, 2010 at 8:32 AM
ok im doing a project for school on problems teens are facing today,if anyone has any information or help lines for teen pregnancy it would help me out greatly if u could plz send it to my e-mail its larissa_shaffer@yahoo.com thank you i am also looking fo help lines and statistics for rape,suicide,molestation and others so any info will help thank you
by AmberAmyAmes on March 16, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Why does everyone have to be so judgmental? I understand that this subject has a lot of controversy surrounding it, but why can't people see past their own personal opinion? Just stop and think for a second, try to be reasonable about your comments. There are those in this country who feel they need to wait because of religion. There are also those who feel abstinence is the only way. There are also those who feel that teens should be taught about birth control to help keep them educated about their body and what options they have to prevent pregnancy and STDs. These are all relevent opinions because there are majorities of people in every state who believe these things. My own opinion is that we should educate teens, but there will always be someone who disagrees with me. That's fine. I respect their opinion. But I ask that everyone be a little more open minded and try to understand the issue from ALL sides. The fact of the matter is, teen pregnancy is a problem, but trying to scare teens away from sex hasn't worked. Absintence only programs don't work for the simple fact that teens are stubborn. Some teens will wait for moral reasons, but not many. If you teach the practicality of sex and consequences of having sex then you have a higher shot. Tell a teenager that if they have sex, they have a large risk of getting pregnant or getting an STD and then tell them what to do to prevent it if they still have sex. It's simple. Also, in the religion category. Not everyone shares those views, especially teenagers. Telling a teen that if they have sex before marraige they'll go to hell, probably isn't the best solution... However, telling a teen that if they sex and don't use protection they will severely hate the consiquences.
by AmberAmyAmes on March 16, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Just try to be a little more understanding and not so close minded. The world is hard enough without people bashing eachother's views over the internet. Give your opinion. Don't hate on everyone else's. It's only going to cause more anger. You can't do anything to change their opinion, just like they can't change yours. So what's the point, really?
by Ahmend on March 20, 2010 at 3:55 AM
Thus i dont blame GUYS of my type. d bitchess are to be blame because of their dressing mode which attract d GUYS to have sex nomatter d lesson giving to him. As far as her attraction has make him mad he have to do it even it will be in form of rape. So girls pless less adjust our dressing
by HeartSoPure on March 25, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Well i dnt care what anybody says cuz i may be 16 and pregnant but i am responsible and i am still in school doing what i gotta do to provide for my baby... if you dnt wana have sex until you're married than thats your choice you cant change nobody mind you cant control nobody either especially wen you dnt know them... & to babyblue72893 im not thirsty me and my boyfriend were madly in love.. we were together 4 a year... okay so what we not together now at least we are still going to be a family... you dnt know what its like.. you hear the baby things but there are also good things that go along with it... im not fckin up my life its just gettin startin...!!!!!
by baby08dlh on March 27, 2010 at 9:44 AM
ok urmum!!! or whoever you are.... no one wants to read your stupid comments on bastard children. that is a term that is VERY OFFENSIVE to not only those who had children out of wedlock, but to those who grew up with out a father. so watch your mouth. you obviously are no kind of mother to use such profane language. secondly, i had my son when i was 19 years old and life does not end! it "makes" your life if you let it. all of those girls out there crying about how they dont have time for themselves and so on, GET OVER IT! stop being so selfish, get up off your butt, and put your big girl underwear on! i work two jobs, go to school full-time, keep my household up and running, and still have time to be a proper parent! yea, when you have a baby young it gets difficult, but that's when you see what kind of person you really are. it will make you or break you. my son is my life and although his father and i are not married, we do live together, raise our child, and plan to marry one day. a baby is no reason to marry. you marry for love! so..... in closing i just want to say one more thing. power to all the young mothers doing what they have to in order to raise their children properly! even if government funding is aiding in your cause!
~!~levi's*mom~!~
by Bumble18 on August 23, 2010 at 9:23 AM
I'm not for against teenage pregnancy, but I'm not for it where I go round shouting how its a great thing. The way I see it, is if they can look after and support the child fair enough.
The thing with teenage pregnancy is, you can preach all you want. You can tell teens about safe sex, give them condom cards, and maybe the numbers will lower. But they wont go down to zero. Teenage pregnancy will all exist. Whether they didn't use protection, or I forgot to take my pill, or the old favourite, the condom broke. There will always be pregnant teenagers.
However, my main reason for commenting it because of what is actually been written by the website. Where it says "Treatment" and then lists resources. I really disagree with the work "Treatment". It isn't a disease, or illness. It isn't like your listing pharmacy's for tablets. Instead of "Treatment" I think the word that should of been used is "Options".