VeggieBoards › Forums › General Discussion Forums › Off Topic Forum › Teen birth rate in US hits all time low (?!??!?!)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Teen birth rate in US hits all time low (?!??!?!)

post #1 of 31
12/21/10 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101221/...s_births_teens

The article says that the birth rate in the US for 15-19 year old mothers has dropped to the lowest rate in 7 decades of record keeping.

Given that teen pregnancy has been almost trendy the last few years, I find this really hard to believe. They even have a "reality" show about 16 year old mothers now.

I wonder if this means that the abortion rate is up, or if all the publicity about pregnant teens has led to more teens learning about birth control before it's too late.

--Fromper
Reply
Reply

Featured Stories on VeggieBoards

Looking for the Best Reusable Water Bottles? Check here!
Who Loves Unicorns?
See Beautiful Vegan & Vegetarian Food on Pinterest
post #2 of 31
12/21/10 at 11:11pm
That is great news! I can believe all the publicity might have helped, I know I was super impressionable at that age and all those teen celebrity pregnancy stories probably would have done the trick on me.

Vegans are basically saying, "Hey, animals shouldn't be needlessly harmed." It's amazing how many people that sentiment freaks out. - Vegan.com

Reply

Vegans are basically saying, "Hey, animals shouldn't be needlessly harmed." It's amazing how many people that sentiment freaks out. - Vegan.com

Reply
post #3 of 31
12/21/10 at 11:14pm
I think it may be due to the fact that most of these girls are already on the pill as parents have embraced the idea of their children being on birth control in comparison to previous generations.

That's my theory anyway.

But awesome news none the less!
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 31
12/21/10 at 11:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Werewolf Girl View Post

That is great news!

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 31
12/22/10 at 1:49am
It may be because of the economy:

The reason for the record low remains unclear, but some experts attributed the two-year decline to the recession, noting that the overall fertility rate as well as the total number of births in the United States declined the second straight year in 2009 as well.

"I would not have guessed that teenagers would be most responsive to the economic downturn, but maybe we need to revise our stereotypes," said Samuel Preston, a professor of demography at the University of Pennsylvania.

Brown and others agreed:

"When money is very tight, all of us think harder about taking risks, expanding our families, taking on new responsibilities," Brown said. "Now I know that teens may not be as savvy about money as those in their 20s and 30s - they probably don't stress over 401(k)s like the rest of us -- but many teens live with financially stressed adults, and they see neighbors and older friends losing jobs and even losing houses. So they, too, feel the squeeze and may be reacting to it by being more prudent. . . . Maybe part of tightening our belts includes keeping our zippers closed, too!"

That fits with earlier research released in the spring by the Pew Research Center, which found that states hit hardest by the recession experienced the biggest drops in births.

"Our evidence definitely suggested there was a link between the economic circumstances and what was going on with fertility," said Gretchen Livingston, a Pew senior researcher. "I suspect that's what we're seeing with these lower number. This fits with the historical picture as well."
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 31
12/22/10 at 5:38am
Good news however you slice it.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 31
12/22/10 at 9:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fromper View Post

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101221/...s_births_teens

The article says that the birth rate in the US for 15-19 year old mothers has dropped to the lowest rate in 7 decades of record keeping.

Given that teen pregnancy has been almost trendy the last few years, I find this really hard to believe. They even have a "reality" show about 16 year old mothers now.

--Fromper

Yeah same here. If anything I thought it would be higher. One of the episodes of "16 and Pregnant" was filmed in a city I used to live in and after the show aired a lot of teen girls were saying they were trying to get pregnant just so they could be on MTV.

It's great news though!! I hope the rate continues to decline!
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 31
12/22/10 at 9:33am
I think its because 21 is the new 15. Either way, I'll agree with Smob...its definitely good news. Who knows....maybe that horrible show actually discouraged girls from getting knocked up at 16!!

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply
post #9 of 31
12/22/10 at 10:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrFalafel View Post

It may be because of the economy:


sorry, but that's a load of bull****. you're either aren't giving teenagers enough credit to be savvy enough to translate having sex = having babies, and there for they have to tuck it in and hold back their desires and not have sex

or they realized that they should use the free condoms

idk, id agree with Alicia on this one. especially moms of teen girls, they are on birth control even if they 'aren't' having sex. there are other benefits besides not getting swol'.

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply
post #10 of 31
12/22/10 at 11:08am
Have you seen 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom? At 24, it makes me never want kids!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 31
12/22/10 at 11:51am
plus, when people have no money to do things (go to movies, dates, etc) what do they do?

have sex.

so the economy is a terrible reason.

plus what 16 year old is like, the economy is booming! im gonna have kids!

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply
post #12 of 31
12/22/10 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I'm with Kenickie on this one. I don't see the economy as a motivator that would cause teenagers to make less mistakes.

--Fromper
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 31
12/22/10 at 4:56pm
The report shows the overall birth rate fell too. That would seem to imply the cause is not related to age/generation.

It is a bit more complicated than teens sitting around thinking they can't afford a kid. Economic pressures on their families affect teens and their behavior. Ex: They're more stressed out and so, less likely to be positive about their own futures as new parents. They have less time and money to socialize and knock boots. They have to work themselves. etc.

Attachment 14007

^Hard to believe there is no correlation here.
LL
Beanitarian.
Reply
Beanitarian.
Reply
post #14 of 31
12/22/10 at 5:35pm
I really think 16 and Pregnant may have played a role. For those who haven't seen it, here's a trailer of the first season (a few years ago):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLiXS02Mj7U

Teen Mom (Season 1, Spin off):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEjiM0sESus
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 31
12/22/10 at 6:49pm
and this is why terrorists hate us. That's disgusting.

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply
post #16 of 31
12/22/10 at 8:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenickie View Post

and this is why terrorists hate us. That's disgusting.

Its not only the terrorists. Heh.

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply
post #17 of 31
12/22/10 at 8:38pm
I'm not sure the multiple reality shows on the subject is telling about the number of teen pregnancies; it's more telling about the American viewing audience and the increasing amount of crap on TV.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 31
12/22/10 at 10:17pm
Thread Starter 
So now the experts are weighing in on the reasons, including an actual study: http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/a-force-beh...pregnant--2023

Quote:
A report released Tuesday by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that parental influence is the most-cited factor by teens when it comes to avoiding teen pregnancy.

But the report also specifically cites the popular "16 and Pregnant" series, indicating that 82 percent of teens say the show helps them better understand the challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood — and why they should avoid it.

More detail in the article. Now this I can understand.

--Fromper
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 31
12/22/10 at 10:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dormouse View Post

I'm not sure the multiple reality shows on the subject is telling about the number of teen pregnancies; it's more telling about the American viewing audience and the increasing amount of crap on TV.

I don't think it's crap, it's one of the few "reality" shows I watch. It really is educational on how hard parenting is and how much of your live you lose/have to give up.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 31
12/22/10 at 11:17pm
Does anyone recall the group of teenage girls who infamously made the pregnancy pact? As if to cheaply shot put themselves into a more meaningful existence. The Gloucester 18.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 31
12/22/10 at 11:25pm
Many people said that there was never a pact, the media just blew it way out of proportion.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 31
12/22/10 at 11:40pm
But eighteen pregnancies at the same high school within a single school year? Sounds incredibly suspicious to me. Perhaps it was a copycat ordeal.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 31
12/23/10 at 7:52am
*facepalm* why I never travel to that part of the state. What do you expect from fisherman's daughters??

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply

"you know, nowhere in the bible does it say that jesus was not a raptor"


www.animal-adoptions.org

Reply
post #24 of 31
12/23/10 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by exiled_expatriate View Post

But eighteen pregnancies at the same high school within a single school year? Sounds incredibly suspicious to me. Perhaps it was a copycat ordeal.

Pregnancy is contagious
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 31
12/23/10 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by exiled_expatriate View Post

But eighteen pregnancies at the same high school within a single school year? Sounds incredibly suspicious to me. Perhaps it was a copycat ordeal.

Peer pressure...all the cool kids are popping babies outta their vaginas!
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 31
12/23/10 at 10:52am
So am I the only person in the US who doesn't watch 16 and Pregnant?
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 31
12/23/10 at 11:00am
No, I know 1 or 2 other people who don't
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 31
12/23/10 at 11:01am
deleted

Edited by Beetlejuice - 6/10/12 at 10:25am
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 31
12/23/10 at 11:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smob View Post

So am I the only person in the US who doesn't watch 16 and Pregnant?

basically everyone in this thread but heather.

i don't have TV, just something to plug my laptop into to watch american football games streamed from european websites. such a cheap bastard i wont even pay for the DTV box.

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply

[muffled rap music playing in the distance]

Reply
post #30 of 31
12/23/10 at 11:22am


The show is aimed at teens, that's who should be watching it.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Off Topic Forum

Featured Stories on VeggieBoards

Looking for the Best Reusable Water Bottles? Check here!
Who Loves Unicorns?
See Beautiful Vegan & Vegetarian Food on Pinterest
VeggieBoards › Forums › General Discussion Forums › Off Topic Forum › Teen birth rate in US hits all time low (?!??!?!)