Sexuality:
TEEN PREGNANCY
NAME
Sociology 104
December 17, 2010
Outline
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What is the problem?
Sociological theory
Solutions
Sources
Social Problem

Teenage Pregnancy has
become an increasing
social problem in the U.S.
today.

Guttmacher.org (research
institute for sexual health)
states that an average of
750,000 women between
ages 15-19 get pregnant
every year.



Nearly 1/3 of all teen pregnancies end in abortion
10% of all U.S. births are to teens
2/3 of all teen pregnancies occur among 18-19 year olds
Consequences of teen pregnancy
 Many teen mothers stop after a highschool diploma or GED
and do not continue on to college

25% of 15-24 year old sexually active people account for
half of all new STI’s each year (including HPV)

Babies born to teens have higher risk of low-birth rate
Statistics: Guttmacher.org
Sociological Perspective

Conflict theory perspective focuses on how poverty,
economic inequality, and problems in education contribute
to teen pregnancy.
What does conflict perspective say?

According to text, teens from low socioeconomic backgrounds
are more likely to become teen parents.

Teens with poor health regimens more likely to bear infants of
low-birth weight, prematurity, etc.

Teens who do poorly in school lack educational ambition,
causing higher risk of teen pregnancy.
Agree or disagree?
Agree. Those limited in educational advantages may not
be aware of available contraceptives. Also applies to
those living in poverty & cannot afford same education as
others.
Three Solutions

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen
Pregnancy

Planned Parenthood

Communities of Color Teenage Pregnancy
Prevention Act of 2010
What are their missions?

National Campaign: organization that raises awareness
regarding teen pregnancy. Uses the media, community
service, and Education to spread the message.

Planned Parenthood: organization committed to
providing education & medical care for women struggling
with pregnancy. Also provides contraceptives, medical
advice, tests, etc.

Prevention Act of 2010: Introduced to H.R. in April
2010. Allows funding for teen pregnancy advocacy
programs. (act still in legislative process).
Effectiveness
Which solution is most effective? Why?
 National Campaign – uses every available resource to
educate community on teen pregnancy prevention.
◦ i.e. schools, federal funding, media, etc.
Which solution is least effective? Why?
 Communities of Color Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Act of
2010 - Since this act is still in its legislative process, it
cannot be enforced if it is not enacted.
Other solutions



Stayteen.org
Dept. of HHS passes $155 million grants for teen
pregnancy prevention
Pregnant Pause: blog about unplanned pregnancy
Teen pregnancy in the media: Television

16 and Pregnant: MTV
reality show revealing the
lives of teen mothers.

Secret life of the
American teenager:
fictional show on ABC
family showcasing daily
struggles of teen
pregnancy.
Teen pregnancy in the media: Film

Quinceanera (film):
movie about teen girl who
becomes pregnant prior
to her 15th birthday.

The Pregnancy Pact: A
group of five girls make a
pact to get pregnant
simultaneously.
Sources

"U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions:National and State
Trends and Trends by Race." Guttmacher Institute. N.p., 1 Jan. 2010.
Web. 14 Dec. 2010. <www.guttmacher.org/pubs/USTPtrends

Mooney, Linda, David Knox, and Caroline Schacht. Understanding
Social Problems. 7th Edition ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage
Learning , 2009. Print.

"The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy."
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2010. <http://www.thenationalcampaign.org

"Planned Parenthood." Planned Parenthood. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec.
2010. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org

"H.R. 5033--111th Congress: Communities of Color Teenage
Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2010." GovTrack.us (database of federal
legislation). 2010. December 16, 2010
<http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-5033>