US teen birth rates reach all-time low, but higher than other countries
Even though teen birth rates are at all time low, it's still important to talk to your teen about birth control.
I'm not usually a cynical person but, believe me, I have heard it all before:
"My mother doesn't want me on the pill."
"I went to my dad's for the week-end and forgot my pills."
"I haven't gotten pregnant yet — I don't think I can get pregnant."
"I won't get pregnant — he pulls out."
"I don't use condoms because I don't like the way they feel."
"I don't like the patch — it irritates my skin."
"I don't like the ring — my partner can feel it."
"I don't like the "Depo" shot — it made me gain weight."
... and my all-time least favorite:
"If it happens, it happens."
And then it usually happens: a positive pregnancy test.
Teen births decline to all-time low. I am usually an optimistic person and, believe me, I'm more optimistic now than ever since 2015 national data shows that teen birth rates have declined to a historical low. Here are the numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Teen birth rates reached a low of 22.3 births per 1,000 teenage girls aged 15-19 in 2015; compare this to a peak of 61.8 in 1991 — down 64 percent.
Put into real numbers (real babies): The number of teen births fell from 519,577 in 1991 to 229,888 in 2015.
The birth rate for teens under age 15 has also reached an all-time low. Put into real numbers (real babies): In 2015, there were 2,503 births to females under age 15 — down 9.6 percent from 2,769 in 2014.
The declining birth rates are not due to increased abortions. Teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates in the U.S. have all reached historical lows.
To what do we owe these favorable trends? There are two major reasons:
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