Prevention is Key

From both an economic and personal standpoint, teen pregnancy brings harsh disadvantages for both mother and child. Although there is a steady decrease of teen pregnancy each year, the United States is accountable for one of the highest teen birth rates in the world when compared to many other developed countries. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, teen pregnancy accounts for nearly 500,000 pregnancies and 234,000 births each year; the highest concentration of impregnated teens are found within the age range of fifteen to nineteen. Pregnancy and parenting for teens are substantial contributors to current high school dropout rates; children born to teen moms are victims to disadvantages in school as well. Further, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy states the following, “The annual public cost of teen childbearing-due to higher costs of public health care, foster care, incarceration and lost tax revenue-is nearly $11 billion.” Taking into account the effect of education achievement of both mother and child, economic well being and the cycle of poverty, and the substantial cost of federal funding, support and encouragement of mandated birth control in the form of an IUD or a birth control implant [a small, “t-shaped” device inserted into the uterus and a matchstick-sized rod that is inserted in the arm, respectively] is called upon for teenage girls ages fifteen to nineteen.

As with the inception of any new implemented concept, there would most likely be harsh criticisms to the proposed plan. People would first claim an infringement of personal rights. Similarly, birth control is strongly opposed by those who follow the Christian religion intently, especially the Catholic Church. ...

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...e years, and the IUD is effective for twelve years. Taking these statistics and the addition of approximately two million fifteen-year-olds every year [due to fourteen-year-olds turning fifteen] the total price of the birth control over a twelve year span ranges from $26 billion to $32 billion, whereas teen pregnancy would cost $132 billion to fund for twelve years under current conditions.

Although there would be much controversy, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives with the implementation of mandated birth control for women ages fifteen to nineteen. It would bring considerable benefits to both teenage women and the United States economy as a whole. These women would be better of educationally, economically, and financially. Having examined many important, potential outcomes, it is once again emphasized to respond and support to this nationwide mandate.