For 70 years, the United States has been keeping track of the birth rate by age. Today, in what has to be regarded as great news by all of us, statistics were released showing that the birth rate by teenagers dropped 9% between 2009 and 2010 to 3.4 births for every 100 girls (women?) between the ages of fifteen and nineteen in America. Even more impressively, these rates dropped among every racial group, and in nearly all states.
Brody Hamilton, with the CDC stated that he believes that there are a number of influences that led to this result. One factor is the economic downturn; when we are in recessions, birth rates overall decline, since people are less optimistic about being able to support their families. Hamilton cited factors that could have related to the downturn in teenage rates, specifically. Teens appear to be delaying the onset of sexual behavior and are more likely to use contraception.
Bill Albert, a director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, listed another reason for the decline which I find sort of intriguing. He claims that programs like Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant have de-romanticized teen pregnancy. I have contended for a while that The Real World has led to the disruption of many gay stereotypes. I’ve never watched either of these two programs, but I assumed that they glamorized young girls who became pregnant.
Why is this trend such great news? When looked at aggregately, there are a number of social problems that are connected to teen births. Things such as school dropout rates, health issues, infant and toddler developmental issues, and crime rates are all positively correlated with this. I’m not claiming that ALL or even MOST kids born to teenaged moms have these problems. It’s just that these problems are more likely to occur.
The rates are not universally low, of course. Southern and Southwestern states tend to have the highest rates, while states in the Northeast and Midwest are much lower. Mississippi, for example, has a rate that is nearly 4 times higher than New Hampshire.
April 10th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
It’s Obama’s fault.
April 10th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Indeed it is a sign of despair when people are afraid to have children because of their bleak futures. Obama’s policies have literally sucked all the life out of the country.
April 10th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Indeed it is a sign of despair when people are afraid to have children because of their bleak futures.
I actually laughed with great vigor at that Hail Mary of a post. But you forgot to mention that this is actually the result of Reagan somehow.
April 11th, 2012 at 7:46 am
#3 – Laugh maniacally for no reason often, do you?
April 11th, 2012 at 8:29 am
It is the same issue we discussed two days — liberals lack a sense of humor. They need a laugh track to tell themselves something was funny.
April 11th, 2012 at 8:36 am
It is the same issue we discussed two days — liberals lack a sense of humor. They need a laugh track to tell themselves something was funny.
…it just… makes… no.. sense…
And it made no sense when you said it two days ago either.
April 11th, 2012 at 9:33 am
I’m pretty sure that teenage girls who get pregnant are NOT thinking about the nation’s economy as part of their decision making process.
No mention of education in your article…. I guess learning about birth control in school couldn’t possibly have anything to do with a reduction in teen pregnancy? Even though you do confirm that it is the reddest states – those with less sex ed taught in schools – that have the highest numbers of pregnant teens.
April 11th, 2012 at 10:11 am
#3 cackles maniacally to himself frequently, he does
April 11th, 2012 at 10:19 am
I’m pretty sure that teenage girls who get pregnant are NOT thinking about the nation’s economy as part of their decision making process.
Ah, a classic rightpundits mistake. You’re looking for logic and consistency.
No, for right now, teenagers don’t get pregnant because of national economics. Most 14-year-olds consult the LIBOR average before deciding whether to use a condom.
And of course, fewer teen pregnancies are– for now– a “sign of despair”.
This will change, as well as the rational behind it, by the next post.
April 11th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
“it just… makes… no.. sense…
Yes, it does, you’re just too snot nosed an asshole to give it that little credit.
The problem is that we just cant afford to raise the little fckers anymore.
The damage dickhead has done will take decades to reverse/pay/off
April 11th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
“it just… makes… no.. sense…
Yes, it does, you’re just too snot nosed an ass hole to give it that little credit.
The problem is that we just cant afford to raise the little fckers anymore.
The damage dickhead has done will take decades to reverse/pay/off
April 11th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Wow you guys are stupid. I’m now fully convinced that this site really is a parody – even the most bat-sh*t insane Republicans I know aren’t as idiotic as the wingnuts here.
You guys are just too stupid for America, now GET THE F*CK OUT!
April 11th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Snork Rash
You and your girlfriend, Me are a real HOOT !
You come to a Conservative Website and wind yourselves around the ankles of the adults like little cats, looking for approval or a scratch behind the ears.
Like little junior high school girls who don’t know how to get the attention of an upperclassman, you sass and tease.
Wouldn’t you be happier among your fellow castrati in the Progressive camp ?
April 11th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Sure Einstein, whatever you say.
Keep defending that pi$$ of sht and you call others crazy ?
oh, das awright, he said he’d be quitting if unemployment stayed above 8, and we all know hes a man of his word
April 11th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
But…Bush fcked it up then and hes fckin it now.
When dickead croakes I’ll fly out there once a year and drop a huge steamy dump right on his plot.
The flys no doubt will there before me
April 11th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
You come to a Conservative Website and wind yourselves around the ankles of the adults like little cats, looking for approval or a scratch behind the ears.
As much as you’d like us crawling around between your knees, it ain’t gonna happen. Not without dinner first.
The funny thing is I don’t think you’ve realized yet that this is a parody site mocking right wingers. Unless you’re the trollsiest of the trollmeisters, in which case, good on you, madam.
Otherwise, lighten up, Francis.
April 11th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Geezus ! Fuzznuts
You’re even more vapid than I first suspected.
I thought you might at least put up a half way decent fight.
I don’t know how you got in to the heavyweight ring, but you’re a Bantam all the way.
Now, tell us more about how you know so much about what Moth Balls smell like.
April 11th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
I thought you might at least put up a half way decent fight.
Look lady, it’s like this– After 2nd grade you don’t get credit for just showing up. You wanna throw down here on the Internets, you’re gonna have to at least have something close to coherent to say. Capitalizing random words doesn’t count in your favor. Anyone Can Do It.
I don’t know how you got in to the heavyweight ring
Where’s my John Cleese link again? I guess you feel the need to type something after having your sexual preferences called out– but you’re missing the point again and again. You don’t have to keep swinging your little O’Kaddle in everyone’s faces. WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE GAY and more importantly WE DON’T CARE! So get over yourself and your so-called “hatred” over those who freely live the lifestyle you wish you had in an open, care-free fashion. The urges you feel don’t make you a bad person at ALL. It’s just nature, it’s who God wants you to be. Don’t keep fighting it, champ. Accept who you are. Be proud. No one’s judging you.
Cheers. And good luck to you.
April 11th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Third time for that Exact Same Spiel.
You just don’t have a lot of depth
Do Ya, Fuzznuts ?
Are you Adam C’s wife ? You two seem to have a similar head toss about your ‘Pride ‘ ?
Are you the one Snork Rash calls Puff Daddy ?
Inquiring minds want to know.
April 11th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
“After 2nd grade you don’t get credit for just showing up. You wanna throw down here on the Internets, you’re gonna have to at least have something close to coherent to say. ”
Well, whats your excuse ?
Fcking liberals give Nobel Peace Prizes to murderers and liars who are too weak to stand on their own so they band with the masses of asses.
But when they fck things up all of a sudden they’re not a part of that commune and amazingly claim they’re independents.
You’re just an arrogant snotty elitist punk who cant see where he’s going for his nose being so high up in the air
April 11th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I am hoping that the “record low level” of teen births is amongst the daughters of right wing conservatives. Youth is the future.
But I doubt if this is true.
April 11th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
But I doubt if this is true.
Somehow they keep getting those short pegs in the round holes.
It’s as far as they can understand.
Oh, and Awlhattin O’Kaddle is a closeted gay man.
April 11th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I think they crazy. They preach “Absolom, Absolom,” but he got his head caught in a tree, didn’t he?
Oh. Abstinence. But that’s just as bad.
Figger that one out.
April 11th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
“Somehow they keep getting those short pegs in the round holes.”
“Square” not “round”
idiot just made our point for us
April 11th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
“Oh, and Awlhattin O’Kaddle is a closeted gay man.”
Oh, so liberals can use words in terms of gender insult but if conservatives do, we’re automatically placed in the stockade and called bigots.
Yeah, you’re funny. Problem is, its never your intention.
How many Uncles has your dad introduce you too ?