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Foreword

(12)

Introduction

(4)

Is Teenage Pregnancy a Serious Problem?

Chapter Preface

(2)

Yes: Teenage Pregnancy Is a Serious Problem

Teen Pregnancy Is a Serious Problem

(6)

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is linked to many negative social and economic consequences for teen mothers and their children. Pregnancy reduces a teen's chance of completing her education, thereby consigning her and her children to a life of poverty. The children of teens suffer most: They are more likely than other children to be abused and neglected, fail in school, become unemployed later in life, and go to prison

Illegitimacy Contributes to Poverty

(7)

Isabel V. Sawhill

Children born out of wedlock are usually raised by poor mothers and become poor themselves later in life. As a result, teenage pregnancy rates in the United States---the highest among industrialized nations---must be lowered in order to stem welfare dependency and poverty

No: Teenage Pregnancy Is Not a Serious Problem

Some Teens Benefit from Early Parenthood

(4)

Emory Thomas Jr.

Some unwed teens make a ``rational choice'' to have children while they are still young. They see that many mothers who have children as teenagers are better off economically than women who delay childbearing in order to establish and advance their careers

The Decline of Teen Marriage Is a Serious Problem

(4)

Patrick F. Fagan

Teen pregnancy is not a serious problem---the decline in teen marriage is. Teen pregnancy rates have changed little over the decades while the teen marriage rate has fallen dramatically. Pregnant teens should be encouraged to marry as they did in the past, since studies show that children who live in two-parent households face better prospects for success later in life

Adult Premarital Sex Is a Serious Problem

(10)

David Whitman

Paul Glastris

Brendan I. Koerner

Society's most serious problem is not teen pregnancy but adult premarital sex. Premarital sex among adults is responsible for most of the children who are born out of wedlock, the majority of pregnancies that end in abortion each year, and for the contraction of most sexually transmitted diseases

What Factors Contribute to Teenage Pregnancy?

Chapter Preface

(1)

Sexual Abuse Is a Factor in Teenage Pregnancy

(7)

Jacqueline L. Stock

Michelle A. Bell

Debra K. Boyer

Frederick A. Connell

Sexual abuse at an early age is a strong predictor of teen pregnancy. Teenage girls who have been sexually abused are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior---such as engaging in sex at a young age, having sex with a greater number of partners, and failing to use birth control---than teen girls who have not been sexually abused

Poor Life Circumstances Are a Factor in Teenage Pregnancy

(3)

Richard T. Cooper

Poverty and family dysfunction can destroy a teen's hopes for the future, leading some teens to see early motherhood as a positive choice. In fact, studies indicate that early childbearing actually improves the lives of some teens

Parents' Attitudes Are a Factor in Teenage Pregnancy

(3)

Brent C. Miller

Parental values about sex are important in determining whether or not a teenager will become sexually active. Teens who enjoy a close and open relationship with their parents are less likely to become pregnant or cause a pregnancy than those who do not

Drug and Alcohol Use Is a Factor in Teenage Sex

(3)

Susan Foster

Alcohol or drug use by teenagers is linked with high-risk sexual behavior. Teens who drink or use illicit drugs are more likely to have sexual intercourse at earlier ages and with multiple partners, and are less likely to use contraceptives than adolescents who do not. These factors put teens at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy

Exploitation by Older Men Is a Factor in Teenage Pregnancy

(4)

Joseph P. Shapiro

Andrea R. Wright

Adult men are responsible for the majority of teenage pregnancies. Because these men rarely marry the girls they impregnate, teen mothers and their children face severe economic disadvantages, such as poverty and welfare dependency

How Can Teenage Pregnancy Be Prevented?

Chapter Preface

(1)

Abstinence-Only Sex Education Can Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

(10)

Vanessa Warner

Teaching adolescents about condoms and safe sex has led to more sexual activity, increased rates of teen pregnancy, out-of-wedlock births, and higher rates of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Teenagers need to be taught to wait to have sex until marriage if they want to experience lasting intimate relationships and more satisfying sex

Abstinence-Only Sex Education Programs Are Flawed

(5)

Susan Flinn

Abstinence-only sex-education programs are unrealistic and ineffective. These programs prevent teenagers from learning about safe sex; therefore, teens do not learn how to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases

Sex Education Can Prevent Teenage Pregnancy by SIECUS

(6)

Many European countries have much lower rates of teenage pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted disease than the United States. The key to their success is widespread sex education---which provides teens with accurate information about sex presented in a positive manner---and easy access to contraceptives

Sex Education Encourages Teenage Sex

(3)

Tony Snow

The texts used by public schools in sex education classes claim to reduce teen pregnancy, but they actually encourage adolescents to have sex. Sex education brainwashes students to believe that early sexual experimentation is acceptable and that delaying sexual activity is bad

Enforcing Statutory Rape Laws Can Help Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

(11)

Michael W. Lynch

States began enforcing statutory rape laws---which allow for the conviction of any adult who has sex with a minor---in response to studies that showed that teenage girls were being impregnated by older men. Although critics of statutory rape laws minimize the extent to which such statutes can reduce teen pregnancy, a legal barrier must be erected between adult males and young girls, even if such efforts help only a few girls avoid the problems associated with teenage pregnancy

Enforcing Statutory Rape Laws Will Not Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

105

(11)

Patricia Donovan

Statutory rape laws---which make it a crime for adult men to have sex with minors---will do little to reduce teen pregnancy rates because the number of teens impregnated by older men is so small. In addition, opponents of statutory rape laws worry that enforcing such laws will prevent teen mothers from seeking health care and adult fathers from supporting their children

What Alternatives to Parenting Exist for Pregnant Teens?

Chapter Preface

116

(1)

Abortion Is a Beneficial Alternative to Teenage Parenting

117

(3)

Krista Reuber

Abortion is often the best choice for pregnant teens. Early motherhood causes many lost opportunities for the girl such as going to college or starting a career. Bringing a child into the world before a girl is ready is also unfair to the child

Abortion Is Harmful to Teenagers

120

(3)

Colleen

Abortion does not solve problems---it destroys relationships and causes guilt and remorse. Nevertheless, many pregnant teens are pressured into having an abortion against their will

Adoption Is a Beneficial Alternative to Teenage Parenting

123

(3)

K. Mahler

Teenagers who give their babies up for adoption complete more education and have higher rates of employment and lower rates of welfare dependency than teens who give birth. Although girls who choose adoption feel some sadness over their decision, that regret is mitigated by their enhanced socioeconomic circumstances

Most Pregnant Teenagers Do Not Choose Adoption

126

(5)

Kristin Luker

Because of the availability of abortion and changing attitudes toward single motherhood, fewer pregnant teens elect to put their babies up for adoption. Moreover, teens increasingly see adoption as giving away their own flesh and blood

Should Society Approve of Teenage Parenting?

Chapter Preface

131

(1)

Yes: Society Should Approve of Teenage Parenting

Criticizing Teen Mothers Is Unfair

132

(3)

Mike A. Males

Vilifying teenage mothers for the poor outcomes of their children is unfair. Racial inequality and poverty---not the inability of young mothers to raise healthy children---are responsible for the adverse consequences faced by children born to teen mothers

Unwed Teen Mothers Who Excel Academically Should Be Admired

135

(3)

Saundra Smokes

It is unfair to exclude teen mothers from the National Honor Society. Unwed teens who get pregnant are no less moral than other teens who are sexually active. Girls who give birth should be admired and encouraged to finish their high school education

No: Society Should Not Approve of Teenage Parenting

Society Should Condemn Teenage Childbearing

138

(3)

David Popenoe

The main cause of teenage pregnancy in the United States is the sexually permissive attitudes of adolescents. In order to reduce the social and economic costs caused by early childbearing, society must condemn teenage sexuality and pregnancy

The Lives of Teen Parents Are Difficult

141

(5)

William Plummer

Curtis Rist

Raising a child as a teenager is extremely difficult. It is harder for teens to continue their education while rearing a child; consequently, teen parents usually end up working at low-paying jobs that barely support themselves and their children. In addition, many teens regret not being able to join in the activities of their peers

Unwed Teen Mothers Are Not Academic Role Models

146

(3)

Kay S. Hymowitz

The National Honor Society was correct to deny admission to two teen mothers. Despite the fact that out-of-wedlock childbearing has become more accepted, the Honor Society should require a higher moral standard from students they accept. Unwed teen mothers---even if they do well in school-are not good role models

Bibliography

149

(2)

Organizations to Contact

151

(4)

Index

155