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Teen Pregnancy
The overall rate of teens age 14 to 18 giving birth has decreased in Volusia
County since 1995, according to the county’s health department, but the birth rate per 100 teen females has decreased by less than 3 percent in the last three years. In contrast, the birth rate per 100 teen females for the entire state has decreased at more than twice this rate.
In the country as a whole, one in three teen girls in the United States is estimated to get pregnant at least once before age 20, according to 4parents.gov, a national public education campaign sponsored by the federal Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs and the Public Health Service.
The statistics are better than a decade ago, when the number was four in 10 girls, but it’s still a serious problem because of the consequences for teen girls and teen boys, and their children. Having a baby as a teen makes it much harder for a boy or girl to reach goals, such as finishing high school, going on to college, getting a good job or getting married when they grow up, and poses additional challenges to the child as well.
If a teen girl finds out she is pregnant, she and her parents and the father of the baby and his parents have some tough decisions to make:
- Some teen mothers decide to continue their pregnancy and then choose adoption for their baby. There are many adoption agencies and types of adoption. Some teens are able to meet the parents who wish to adopt the baby.
- Many teens decide to keep their babies. Some marry the baby’s father and raise their baby together. Sometimes the baby's grandparents or other family members help raise it so that the teen mother can stay in school and work. But it requires a lot of additional hard work for a teen parent to finish school and get a good job. Children of teen mothers face greater risk of poverty, behavioral problems, poor academic performance, incarceration, and teen pregnancy.
- Some teen pregnancies end in abortion. Abortions can have complications, and there may be emotional consequences: Some women say they feel sad and some use more alcohol or drugs than before. Some states require teens to have their parent's permission to get an abortion. (Those younger than 18 in Florida are not required to ask for permission, but parents or a guardian might be notified before the abortion takes place.)
To understand the scope of this situation, consider these numbers: In 2002, there were more than 750,000 teen pregnancies in the United States, more than 215,000 of which ended in abortion.
Teen pregnancy also can be hard on teen fathers. The pregnancy can strain their relationships with their girlfriend and with their parents. And teen fathers do not go as far in school and make less money when than teens who do not father children.
Once a girl is pregnant, there is no easy choice. “The very best thing is to help your son or daughter avoid getting pregnant, or getting someone pregnant, in the first place,” says 4parents.gov. Visit the link to the complete Web site for pages about “Talking to Your Pre-Teen or Teen About Waiting,” “Dealing with Risky Behaviors and Other Challenges,” “Sexual Development & Reproduction” and a glossary.
Other Internet resources include:
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The National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies
The campaign seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation.
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Children’s Medical Services
The site includes a Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Statewide Directory, listing services that provide crisis intervention for those cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
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Parenting iVillage
It’s an unintimidating general reference for teens and their families who decide to keep their babies.
Local Resources
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Children’s Advocacy Center of Volusia & Flagler Counties
1011 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114; 386-238-3830
The Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to providing quality forensic, therapeutic and prevention services to all child abuse and sexual assault victims in a gentle and professional manner. Click here to learn more.
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The Chiles Academy
868 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114; 386-322-6102
The mission of the academy is to combine a community of support and guidance for pregnant and parenting students with the goal of attaining a high school diploma, which will empower them to become independent and responsible citizens. Although designed primarily for students on the east side of Volusia County, students from other parts of the county also are accepted.
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