January 2010

Editorial: Children having children

January 27, 2010, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Rise in teenage pregnancy rate spurs new debate on arresting it

January 26, 2010, Washington Post

The pregnancy rate among teenage girls in the United States has jumped for the first time in more than a decade, raising alarm that the long campaign to reduce motherhood among adolescents is faltering, according to a report released Tuesday.

The pregnancy rate among 15-to-19-year-olds increased 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 -- the first jump since 1990, according to an analysis of the most recent data collected by the federal government and the nation's leading reproductive-health think tank.

A rise in teenage pregnancy also raises concerns

Click Here to read an editorial on this issue from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Manatee County officials reconsider abstinence-only approach to sex education

January 25, 2010, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Almost 500 babies were born to Manatee County teenagers in 2008, one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Florida.

Staff at the school district's day care look after almost 90 babies while their teenage moms take classes. Another 43 students are pregnant.

Teachers report that some students no longer feel there is any stigma attached to pregnancy among students.

Teenage pregnancy expert bemoans lack of contraception education

January 21, 2010, St. Petersburg Times

So many Florida girls are getting pregnant, the state ranks sixth in the nation for teen pregnancy.

That might not be the case, says an expert in field, if more young people were taught about contraception.

"While the adults are arguing about abstinence, our teenagers are getting pregnant," says Dr. Carol Cassell, an author, researcher and social scientist who will be in the Tampa Bay area next week to speak at fundraisers for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.

Public agencies not all about abstinence

Ft. Myers News-Press, January 18, 2010

“Aspects related to sexual abstinence are intertwined within a number of the topics” covered in the health class required for students to graduate from Florida public schools, said Lee County Assistant Director of Curriculum Services Patti Elkin.

The class is abbreviated HOPE (Heath Opportunities in Physical Education) and it’s worth one credit.

Highlands' teen pregnancy ranking worsens

January 7, 2010, Highlands Today

By Marc Valero