TEEN PREGNANCIES HAVE DECLINED IN THE 90'S In the April 29th issue of the WORLD HERALD, there was a headline saying: TEEN PREGNANCIES HAVE DECLINED IN THE 90'S. (p.9) Numerous sources in and out of government professed reasons why unmarried teen birth rates have been reduced. Across the political spectrum, most people are pleased with the results. However, there is a problem and Senator Patrick Monyihan (D. of New York) differs. In plain English, there is a difference between rates and ratios. The rate of teen births are going down because there are more women who are now outside the usual child bearing age. In 1960, only 5 of all births occurred to unmarried teen and non-teen mothers. In 1990, the rate was 24. The encouraging news is that previous statistic is down a bit. But it is still at a historical high point. In other words, we have less teen births, because at this moment we have less teens compared with the rest of the population of women. If we look at the ratio (a statistic that measures behavior over time) then the unmarried teen birth rates continue to soar or remain high. In the mid 90's, it was 75.9. In the District of Columbia, it is 96.8. Incidentally, all of these comparison are multiplied by a constant of 1000 so that Omaha can be fairly measured against a big city like New York. If Moynihan is correct, we need to redouble our efforts to continue emphasizing abstinence or effective birth control. Further, when a population has a large group (called cohorts) of teens, one has a troubled society. The exception is any early society where children are quickly absorbed into the work force. Ages 13 to 23 are generally the worst years for maladaptive human behavior. We do things that we regret the rest of our lives. How many of us would change some of things that we did as teens? Alas, according to Moniyhan, unmarried teen births are still up, and bringing down both the rate and the ratio would be welcomed. It would be good news not only for the common good, but for the individual teen who chooses to delay parenting until they are married and prepared financially to have children. Joel C. Snell Professor Kirkwood College Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-2068 Research Fellow Arlington Institute Arlington, Va. 319-398-5532 319-366-0063 (see enclosed support material.) |
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