Researchers have observed an increase in number of teen births in more than one-half of the states in United States. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) a spike in birth rate was observed among teens in 26 states. The year 2006, for which the latest data was available showed an increase in birth rate by 3.5 percent for girls aged 15-19 years. This is the largest growth in teen births since 1989-1990.
Paul Sutton a demographer with NCHS commented, "To see 26 states with statistically significant increases is fairly remarkable. We're seeing increases in both the number of teens having births and also the rate at which they are having births. Both of them are going up."
In 2006, teen pregnancy rate in ages 15-19 had increased to 41.9 from 40.5 per 1,000. The increases were greatest through the South and Southwest, and lowest in the Northeast. Mississippi had the highest birth rate, 68.4 births per 1,000, with New Mexico and Texas not too far behind. New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts had the lowest birth rates. The only states with declines in teen birth rates from 2005 to 2006 were North Dakota, Rhode Island and New York.
Kristin Moore, a senior scholar at Child Trends who has been tracking teen births for 30 years said, “It occurred among teens 15-17 and 17-19 and among whites, blacks and Hispanics, and now we know it occurred in most of the states. It appears to be quite a general pattern, which makes me think it might not be a blip but a turn-around."
Most teen welfare specialists blamed the atmosphere of sexual tolerance where children were ‘under the influence of peers.’ They are unable to pinpoint the factors responsible for the rise in teen pregnancies. Some feel it is the over sexed American culture, and acceptance of births in unmarried girls. Others feel it is the rigid approach of abstinence to sex education, and de-emphasis on birth control in public schools. College counselors see a very close connection between sexual activity and alcohol.
Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, blamed Hollywood, where teen pregnancies have become increasingly popular. She stated that, "In the last couple of years, we had Jamie Lynn Spears. We had Juno and we had Bristol Palin. Those three were in 2007 and 2008 and not in 2005 to 2006, but they point to that phenomenon."
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