posted December 07, 2007 01:39 AM         

ATLANTA -- In a reversal, the nation's teen birth rate rose for the first time in 15 years, surprising government health officials who had no immediate explanation.

The birth rate had been dropping since its peak in 1991, although the decline had slowed in recent years. Government statisticians said it rose 3% in 2006 from the previous year. Health officials said it was possibly a one-year statistical blip and not the beginning of an upward trend.

Several experts said they have been expecting a jump. They blame the shift on increased federal funding for abstinence-only health-education programs that don't teach how to use contraception.

Some sexually transmitted disease rates have been rising, and the teen pregnancy rate is part of the same phenomenon, said Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.

The report is based on a review of more than 99% of last year's birth certificates by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC statement)

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So here are my questions...

1] Do you personally know any teens who are currently pregnant or have given birth within the last year?

2] How has this altered their lives?

posted December 16, 2007 11:57 PM         

One of my friends is pregnant...

I live in Texas. Unexpected? No.

2] How has this altered their lives?

I don't believe she's shared any of the details with me. I don't want to intrude, either.

3] How has this altered your friendship?

She's a bit on the large side, and it's only been a few weeks, so you can't really tell yet. But ever since I've found out, our friendship has never really changed.

I still love her. :] Even though she may not always make the best decisions.

------------------
Faust: [dancing with the young witch]
A lovely dream I dreamt one day
I saw a green-leaved apple tree,
Two apples swayed upon a stem,
So tempting! I climbed up for them.

The Pretty Witch:
Ever since the days of Eden
Apples have been man's desire.
How overjoyed I am to think, sir,
Apples grow, too, in my garden.

posted January 07, 2008 07:55 PM         

yes i do.

2] How has this altered their lives?

they have learned responsibility all too fast but only because society looks down on pregnancy. it was not too long ago and it is a part of history that females have babies around their late teens early 20's. Why is it so taboo? And why doesn't society help them so that they can work, be a mom, and go to school and not have to feel like they have done something so terribly wrong? God made us to create and that looks like creation to me.

3] How has this altered your friendship?

I have grown to want to help and support them as well. it takes a lot of courage to decide not to terminate a pregnancy.