Teen pregnancy rate up again by 3%

After 15 years of being on the decline, teen pregnancy rates have risen by three percent, according to a report from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

In 2005, teen pregnancies were on the decline. But in 2006, the most recent year available, there was a three percent increase.

California is ranked 15th in the nation for the most teen pregnancies with 75 pregnancies for every 1,000 girls age 15-19, according to The National Campaign's Web site.

California is 24th in the nation for teen birth rate at 39.9 births per 1,000 girls ages 15-19.

Since the early 1990s the teenage pregnancy rate has declined 39 percent, and the teen birth rate has decreased by one third, making it one of the few social problems that has actually improved over the past decade, according to The National Campaign's Web site.

So the unanswered question is why teen pregnancies are trending up.

There isn't just one answer to this question; there are several factors that play a role in the increase of teen pregnancies. Between 2005-2007, sexual activity increased but the use of contraceptive decreased, also the concern about contracting HIV/AIDS has decreased. Only 17 percent of teenagers fear "becoming infected," according to The National Campaign.

Another factor is older teens (ages 18 to 19) becoming pregnant. Data suggests "nearly three-quarters of the increased teen birth rates can be attributed to older teens."

Also there is a large push for abstinence, which experts say should be stressed as the first and best option for teens because it is developmentally appropriate, supported by both parents and teens, and is the only 100 percent way to prevent teen pregnancy and early parenthood.

However, teens are getting the information they need about contraception should they decide to have sex.

According to The National Campaign, another possible reason for the increase is complacency. Because the teen pregnancy rate was declining, resources and focus were redirected to other problems.

As of now, four in 10 births to women in the U.S., mostly teens and "20-somethings," are non-marital.

There has been speculation that social role models like Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin are sending a message that it is okay to start a family in your teen years, as a single parent, who more than likely will not finish high school.

Emily Westphal of Girls, Inc. Northern Sacramento Valley, believes that TV shows like ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and MTV's "16 and Pregnant" demonstrate to teens the consequences of their actions.

Girls, Inc., offers a pregnancy prevention program that teaches critical thinking skills, said Westphal.

The girls talk about the pros and cons of having sex and possible pregnancy and what will happen to their goals should they have a baby.

Anderson Union High School featured this program in the first round of after school programs they offered during the first quarter.

According to Don Ray, an Assistant Principal at West Valley High School, the topic of sex and prevention is mostly discussed in the Personal Growth class offered during a student's freshman year.

Ray said preventing pregnancy used to be a big topic in high school health class, but those classes "have gone to the wayside" in California.