Many parents around the world, not only in Texas, are raising teenagers. Lately, there has been a tendency for teenagers between the ages of 15-17 giving birth to children even though they are still children themselves. Travis, Bexar, and Potter are some of the counties with the highest rate of pregnancy among teenage girls. According to Chris Newton’s research, there is an estimated 72 pregnancies to every 1000 girls in Potter County. Travis County has an estimated 46 pregnancies to every 1000 girls. The rates are alarming, but the numbers are still growing. Every twenty minutes a teenage mother gives birth to a child in the United States. Having a child at such a young age can have serious effects on society. (Newton, 4 April 2004)
Every year the United States spends thirty- four billion dollars on welfare for adolescent parents beginning a family. The average gross cost to the United States tax payer(s) is an estimated six point nine billion dollars due to increase in welfare, food stamps, and medical care expenses. (Christenson, 22 April 2004) Though the rates have declined it is still a major priority. Hundreds of children are having intercourse unprotected, especially from lower economic family backgrounds. Single adolescent mothers with dependant children have the highest rate of poverty across all demographic groups due to child care costs, lack of education, and lack of public assistance or child support. Welfare is a federal government program that gives money to low income families who cannot financially support their children or themselves. (McRae, 26 April 2004) Of the women ages fifteen to forty- four who received welfare or AFDC in 1993, over half became mothers at a young age. Only five percent were currently adolescent. Eighty three percent of women on welfare were eighteen to twenty four. What about the twelve percent that are not adolescents on welfare? Many women who have given birth at a young age have the tendency to become dependant on federal aide. The average public cost for the family begun by each first birth to children is thirteen thousand nine hundred and two dollars. If births are delayed until after the age of twenty the public saves an estimated two point zero six billion dollars. (McRae, 26 April 2004) The price tag does not reflect the potential costs to society in terms of wasted human resources and the far reaching intergenerational effects of adolescent parenting. (Facts, 22 April 2004)
The government has set up programs to prevent adolescent pregnancies. Sex education is a program that is provided in schools across the United States to inform young adults about sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and contraceptives. These programs have even been taught as young as kindergarten and end in the twelfth grade. It is important that the cautions concerning intercourse are stressed especially to America’s youth. This is why there should be more programs available for adolescents that are sexually active and even one’s thinking about becoming sexually active. The government is also making an effort to have contraceptives easier to access. Many youths do not know how important contraceptives are. Some do not even know what the word means. For every federal dollar spent on contraceptives to low income women the government saves more than four dollars in welfare payments, medical costs, ECT. (Christenson, 22 April 2004) It is vital that the youth be aware of the choices that are out there for contraceptives. Not only young women, but also young men should know the facts.
More than forty percent of women in the United States become pregnant before they reach the age of twenty. It is a growing epidemic that we must take seriously. (Teenage, 26 April 2004) As the country with the fastest birth rate among adolescents it should be an issue that is discussed with veracity. Many Americans believe that it is not an important issue; however it changes when it is that person’s child giving birth at fourteen years old. Everyone knows the saying “It will never happen to me.” Well it does, it happens everyday. Adolescent pregnancy has changed the way society values a child being born into the world. It will continue to change society’s morals, as children give birth to children.

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