Teen pregnancy has risen for the second time in two years, after a
fourteen year decline, according to new statistics available from the
National Center for Health Statistics. After a low in 2005 of less than
40 births per thousand girls aged 15-19, the number had climbed by 2007
to 42.5 births per 1000 teen girls. To put it another, rather stunning
way, in a high school with 500 girls, that's 21 babies each year.
Statisticians
aren't willing to call this two-year rise a "trend" yet. Apparently,
the rule of thumb is that it takes three years to make a trend. But
many are speculating that it will prove to be one and many are pointing
fingers about the cause. Suspect number one? Abstinence-only
education.
I freely admit to being very persuaded by that hypothesis. Let's face it,
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