Tag Archives: teen pregnancy

Study Finds Consequence of Teen Motherhood Lasts Generations

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There are many reasons why most parents would prefer that their teenagers do not become parents. A study adds another thing to add to that list. The consequence of teen motherhood lasts for generations.  PLOS One posted a study titled: “The multigenerational effects of adolescent motherhood on school readiness: A population-based retrospective cohort study.” The study was done by one researcher who was from the Stratford University in the United States, one researcher was from the Manitoba Center for Health Policy, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and two other researchers who were from the Manitoba Center for Health Policy and the … Continue reading →

Robot Babies Don’t Prevent Teen Pregnancy

When you were in high school, you might have been assigned to carry around an egg, or a baby doll, as part of your sexual education coursework. It provided just enough awkwardness, and annoyance, to make teens realize that being a parent can be difficult. Today, some teens are assigned to care for a robot baby. Unfortunately, these adorable robot babies don’t prevent teen pregnancy. Robot babies are infant simulators with wireless programing and reporting capabilities. At first glance, you might think it was a real baby. The robot baby will cry when it needs to be fed, burped, rocked, … Continue reading →

Teen Birth Rate Hits All Time Low

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A study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the number of babies being born to mothers who are teenagers is at an all time low. It has been consistently dropping for the past two decades. More research is needed to conclusively determine what caused the decrease. According to the CDC study, from 2006 to 2014, the birth rate for teens aged 15-19 years declined 41% overall. The greatest decline was for Hispanic teens (51%), followed by non-Hispanic blacks (44%), and non-Hispanic whites (35%). The birth rate ratio also declined for black teens compared with … Continue reading →

Obama Cut Funding for Abstinence-Only Sex Ed

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President Obama has eliminated all government funding for abstinence-only sex education programs in public schools. Research shows that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are ineffective and that they negatively impact young people’s health. Abstinence-only sex ed programs, and abstinence-until-marriage programs, are an extremely limited version of sexual education. These types of programs emphasize that young people should not have sexual intercourse until after they are married. Abstinence based sexual education programs rarely include information about anatomy, puberty, sexual health, and sexual orientation. These programs are favored by some Christian religious groups and by Republican lawmakers. Research shows that abstinence-only sexual education programs are … Continue reading →

U.S. Birthrate Increased Due to Older Moms

The overall birthrate in the United States has increased for the first time in seven years. In addition, the birthrate among teens has dropped. Where is the increase coming from? It turns out that the slight increase in births is due to older moms. The Verge reported some data from a report created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Part of the report noted the birthrate in the United States for 2013 and 2014. In 2013, there were 62.5 births per 1,000 women. In 2014, that number slightly increased to 63 births per 1,000 women. The CDC … Continue reading →

Reasons Parents Should talk to Their Teens About Pregnancy

It might be uncomfortable, but it is important that parents talk with their teens about pregnancy. Having that discussion, in a non-judgmental way, can inspire a teen to really open up and ask the questions that are on their mind. It can also help build trust between you and your teen. That’s important if you want them to come to you for answers about pregnancy in the future. Make sure you speak with your daughters and your sons. The teen pregnancy rate in the United States is high. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate among countries that … Continue reading →

Babies Having Babies

I had just crossed the threshold into teenhood when CBS ran a Schoolbreak Special called:  “Babies Having Babies.”  It was directed by Martin Sheen and starred my idol Lori Loughlin and Jill “The Love Boat” Whelan as pregnant teens who meet up at a group counseling session. The show was one of my first introductions to the relatively unknown world of teenage motherhood and a far cry from today’s mega-hyped MTV reality TV hits “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom.” Critics have long claimed that both series glamourize teen pregnancy and encourage young girls to procreate outside of marriage.  Meanwhile, … Continue reading →

Parents in Denial: Pool Pregnancy

You know you are a parent in denial when… You insist that your 13-year-old daughter got pregnant from swimming in a hotel pool—-ALONE! No parent wants to think that his or her child is anything less than perfect, but Magdalena Kwiatkowska may want to consider taking off the blinders for a split second before proceeding with her recently filed bizarre lawsuit. Kwiatkowska says she was forced to hire a lawyer upon returning with her daughter from a lavish holiday at an upscale hotel in Egypt. Apparently, the family returned home with more than a few shiny trinkets from the souvenir … Continue reading →

Adoption Plot Alert—ER Series Finale at Earlier Time Tonight

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I’m always curious to see how adoption is portrayed in the general media. Last month I talked about an adoption storyline on NBC’s hit medical drama ER. ER (for Emergency Room) is ending its 15-year run tonight in a 2-hour series finale which will air at 9 p.m. in the Pacific and Eastern Time Zones, 8 p.m. Central Time. The finale will be preceded by an “ER Retrospective” show, airing at 8 p.m. in the Pacific and Eastern Time Zones and 7 p.m. Central Time. Angela Bassett plays Dr. Banfield, the tough head of the ER who just began the … Continue reading →

Jamie Lynn Spears is NOT Pregnant… Again

After weeks making headlines in the National Enquirer and various other tabloids, actress turned teen mom Jamie Lynn Spears is speaking out about the rumor that she is pregnant with her second child. The official word from the 17-year-old’s rep: “Jamie Lynn is not pregnant.” And her mom Lynne Spears never stood on the edge of a cliff getting ready to jump… at least not in regards to this batch of rumors. Take that tabloids… The National Enquirer story, made believers out of many of Jamie Lynn fans, who really thought the teen was preparing to add to her family … Continue reading →