| How grave is the problem in California? |
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In 1999 more than 57,000 babies were born to teen mothers between the ages of 15-19 years. In 2000 there were approximately 56,000 babies and in 2001 52,966. This is a birth rate of 50.2 per 1,000 in 1999, 48.1 per 1,000 in 2000, and 45.1 per 1,000 in 2001 for teens between 15-19 years of age. |
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In Southwest Santa Rosa, in 2000 the teen birth rate was 132.18 per 1,000. This means that out of 1,000 girls age 15-19 living in Southwest Santa Rosa, 132 of them had babies in the year 2000. |
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In 2001, approximately 68 percent of all teen births (10-19 years of age) in California were to Latina teens, 18 percent to White, 8.8 percent to African Americans, 4.3 to Asian/Pacific Islanders, and .6 percent to American Indians. |
| What are the health consequences to the teen mom and her baby? |
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Teen mothers under 15 years of age are more at risk for pregnancy complications such as premature or prolonged labor, anemia and high blood pressure. |
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Low birth weight is more common among teen babies than among those born to women in their 20's. Low birth rate babies are 40 times more likely to die within the first month of their lives. |
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Each year more than three million teens contract sexually transmitted infections accounting for one fourth of the 12 million Americans affected annually. |
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One quarter of HIV cases each year occur in people ages 13-21. Half are among people under 25 years of age. |
| How are our teen parents affected? |
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Teen mothers are less likely to graduate from high school - two out of three teen mothers never finish high school. |
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Only one out of every five teen mothers receives any support from the child's father and about 80 percent end up on welfare. |
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Teen fathers are more likely to engage in illicit behaviors, use alcohol and other drugs routinely, deal drugs and quit school. |
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Teen parents are less likely to give their children proper nutrition, health care, cognitive and social stimulation, and nurturing - the things that all children need to get a good start in life. |
| How are children of teen parents affected? |
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Children born to women under the age of 20 are 10 times more likely to be poor. |
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Children born to teens are likely to suffer severe health problems and are less likely to receive proper health care. |
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Children born to teen mothers are more likely to drop out of school, have lower grade point averages, have poor school attendance and are less likely to go to college. |
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Children of teens are more likely to suffer higher rates of abuse and neglect, and to end up in foster care with all its attendant costs. |
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Sons of teen mothers are more likely to end up in jail. |
| What do teens think? |
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Nearly 88 percent of teens in the U.S. identify teen pregnancy as a significant problem. |
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Fifty-one percent of teens surveyed indicate that they would delay sexual activity if they had an adult they trust with whom they could discuss sex and other important issues. |
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Teens indicate that their parents have the most influence on their sexual beliefs and behavior. |
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Teens want their parents and other adults they can trust to talk to them about sex, listen to their concerns and provide accurate straightforward information. |
