U.S. Teen Pregnancy Rate Hits All-Time Low

[Severian]

I'm posting this in Discrimination since it relates to changes in family structure which affect how sexism operates.

And headlining the teen pregnancy stat since it may be the most surprising to many people. There's a lot of rhetoric out there promoting the idea that there's some tremendous epidemic of teen pregnancy going on - part of the moral degeneration of America in these sinful modern times, and all that nonsense.

So it's interesting to see the reverse is in fact the case - and to consider possible reasons why.

At the same time, the number of babies born to unmarried mothers is at an all-time high - a profound shift in family structure is still ongoing. (Background: An article with some Marxist analysis of this social trend (http://www.themilitant.com/2001/6504/650450.html))

A new statistical report has gotten a lot of media coverage. (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/76814.php)

Some highlights:
The rise in low birthweight children has been rising steadily since 1984, where it was 6.7 per cent, to 7.9 per cent in 2003, 8.2 per cent in 2004 and 8.2 per cent in 2005.
...
Another worrying statistic is the number of children covered by health insurance, which went down to 89 per cent in 2005 compared with 90 per cent in 2004. But a positive note is struck by the fact that the proportion of children with at least one parent who is working all year round is up from 77.6 in 2004 to 78.3 per cent in 2005, although it did peak to 80 per cent in 2000.
...
Childhood immunization rates have risen over the past decade from 71 per cent to 81 per cent of children between 19 and 35 months now having the recommended series of vaccinations.
.....
Sondik also drew attention to the fact that the birth rate among teens has dropped 40 per cent over the past 15 years, with the greatest reduction being among white teens, where the drop is as much as 60 per cent over the period.
....


The full report (http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/highlights.asp)

I think it's worth knowing some of these facts, particularly as the hype in the media and from capitalist political forces can give an impression far out of whack with reality....

[Pawn Power]

So what then is the cuase of this shift...the great sex education that is taught in schools and the push for abstinence-only sex education?

I understand the facts in showing the decline of the traditional family has not caused more teens to have babies. But that also doesn't necessarily mean that the restructuring of the family has caused the decline.

[Severian]

Originally posted by Pawn [email protected] 16, 2007 03:07 am
So what then is the cuase of this shift...the great sex education that is taught in schools and the push for abstinence-only sex education?
Interesting question.

It's a long term trend, that involves both more contraceptive use and a later start to sexual activity. I'd guess a couple broad social causes:

1. A more open cultural attitude towards open discussion of sex and related stuff, like birth control. The kind of thing that gives continental Europe lower teen pregnancy rates, lower abortion rates (probably fewer unwanted pregnancies), etc.

2. It's gotten a lot harder to make it economically in the U.S., especially if you don't have much schooling. High school graduation's pretty much mandatory for everyone, and college helps. Girls especially are going to college in increasing numbers. So, motivation not to get pregnant.

I realize this is just a guess.