In the seventy years that the teen birth rate has been tracked in the United States, the most recent results show the lowest rates in history.
The reported birth rate among teenage girls is 34.3 for every one thousand women. This is the lowest ever. From 2009 to 2010, the rate fell an astounding nine percent. Teenagers are defined as people between 15 and 19 years of age. According to the statistics provided by the National Center for Health Statistics, teenage birth rates dropped across every ethnic and racial demographic. In addition, nearly every state in America reported falling rates too.
Many are suggesting that these results stem from increasing rates of teenagers electing to not have sex as early and more teenagers using contraception.
This could also be seen as a positive aspect of the MTV show “Teen Mom.” The show shows teenage mothers going through the struggles of having children so young. It shows not only the pregnancy, but also the difficulties teenage parents face once the child is born.
While many accused the show of glorifying teenage pregnancy, the results presented by the National Center for Health Statistics show that in actuality, the show has discouraged teenagers from getting pregnant.
Regardless of who is given the credit, many are pleased to see that the youth of America are waiting until they are better off and more mature before bringing children into this world.
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