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The Issue of Teen Pregnancy

During the last quarter-century in particular, there has been a serious overall decline in the rate of teen pregnancy, and this is quite possibly due to the increased availability of contraceptives, as well as the more openly talked about discussion of sex and protection for sex in general. Teen pregnancy, although it may seem as though a growing epidemic, is actually lessening, and this is due to many reasons.

What are the Most Recent Statistics of Teen Pregnancy?

In regards to the most recent statistics of teen pregnancy, in 1997 an estimated 19,724 women aged 15 to 19 gave birth, and a slightly larger number in this age range – 21,233 had an abortion. It should be known that pregnant teens themselves are at greater risk for health problems during their pregnancy, and this includes such problems as anemia, hypertension, renal disease, eclampsia, and depressive disorders.

Additionally, teen pregnancy creates multiple dilemmas, as the teens themselves are at greater risk of having economic consequences, as a lot of teens are not established enough in their lives and simply cannot afford to have a baby.

Also in 1997, an estimated 42,162 of pregnancies aged 15-19 ended in birth, abortion, or miscarriage. Also, the number of pregnancies had declined steadily since 1994, when for instance the estimated total was at 46,753.

Abortion is now considered the most common outcome. In the past, more teenage pregnancies ended in a live birth rather than an abortion, however since 1997, with the decline in live births to teens, abortions have increased. The percentage of teenage pregnancies that ended in abortion is strongly weighted by that of trends among that of 18-19 year olds in particular, who still account for that of the majority of teenage pregnancies.

It should also be known that the abortion rate was much higher for that of older teens, even though pregnant 15-17 year olds were far more likely than that of pregnant 18-19 year olds to have an abortion, and the higher abortion rates at the ages of 18-19 years old truly reflects that of the higher number of pregnancies among older teens.

As well, clinic abortions were considered as being far more likely to occur earlier or later in the pregnancy, as in 1997 alone, 40 percent of teenagers who had clinic abortions were less than 9 weeks pregnant, and whereas this was the case for 25 percent of those who had hospital abortions.