Study: Many Teen Moms Surprised They Got Pregnant, Thought it Couldn’t Happen During First Sexual Encounter
- Posted on January 20, 2012 at 1:34am by
Tiffany Gabbay
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ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — A new government study suggests a lot of teenage girls are clueless about their chances of getting pregnant.
In a survey of thousands of teenage mothers who had unintended pregnancies, about a third who didn‘t use birth control said the reason was they didn’t believe they could pregnant.
Why they thought that isn’t clear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey didn’t ask teens to explain.
But other researchers have talked to teen moms who believed they couldn’t get pregnant the first time they had sex, didn’t think they could get pregnant at that time of the month or thought they were sterile.
“This report underscores how much misperception, ambivalence and magical thinking put teens at risk for unintended pregnancy,” said Bill Albert, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Other studies have asked teens about their contraception use and beliefs about pregnancy. But the CDC report released Thursday is the first to focus on teens who didn’t want to get pregnant but did.
The researchers interviewed nearly 5,000 teenage girls in 19 states who gave birth after unplanned pregnancies in 2004 through 2008. The survey was done through mailed questionnaires with telephone follow-up.
About half of the girls in the survey said they were not using any birth control when they got pregnant. That’s higher than surveys of teens in general, which have found that fewer than 20 percent said they didn’t use contraception the last time they had sex.
“I think what surprised us was the extent to which they were not using contraception,” said Lorrie Gavin, a CDC senior scientist who co-authored the report.
Some of the teen moms were asked what kind of birth control they used: Nearly 20 percent said they used the pill or a birth control patch. Another 24 percent said they used condoms.
CDC officials said they do not believe that the pill, condoms and other forms of birth control were faulty. Instead, they think the teens failed to use it correctly or consistently.
Only 13 percent of those not using contraception said they didn’t because they had trouble getting it.
Another finding: Nearly a quarter of the teen moms who did not use contraception said they didn’t because their partner did not want them to. That suggests that sex education must include not only information about anatomy and birth control, but also about how to deal with situations in which a girl feels pressured to do something she doesn’t want to, Albert said.
The findings are sobering, he added. But it’s important to remember that the overall teen birth rate has been falling for some time, and recently hit its lowest mark in about 70 years.
Albert said it would be a mistake to come away from the report saying, “They can’t figure this out?“ ”Most of them are figuring it out,” he said.
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Comments (86)
BlessedONE333
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:44pmthis is BULL CRAP =
the teens are taught in public school how babies are made!!!
these girls are taught how to use a condom in 3rd grade – don’t push your propaganda nonsense on us! this is just another ploy for the progressives to get money for ‘birth control issues’
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 4:29pmIt all depends on your physical ability to enact abstinant behavior, and your skill in dealing with men. My first time I had an intact hymen so I was fully protected. Girls who ride mountain bicycles off road and who jump Arabian horses need to use condoms. My three daughters all played field hockey so they were able to physically resist even the strongest Yale and Princeton boys until they were happily married. My youngest once crushed a three pound watermelon by squeezing it with her bare ankles.
TEA
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on January 21, 2012 at 8:32pmJust shows to go ya… how incompetent our teachers are! Even in the 40‘s and 50’s we kids understood the “basics” to sex and how one gets pregnant…total hooey!
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 12:04amFunny how coming from THIS direction, they want to teach girls how to not feel pressured to do something they don’t want to; but the same people HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH GIRLS FEELING PRESSURED TO HAVE SEX AT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
Report Post »Carolina Patriot
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 6:15pm@monicne
Report Post »Anyone who thinks an intact hymen will protect them from pregnancy is “whistling Dixie.” Sperm can go right around a hymen, and/or if it is broken during intercourse, the only things to protect a woman is time of month, infertility, good luck, or God. Your comment reflects the reason many teens become pregnant . . . ignorance of the impregnation process’s realities.
SychinLegacy
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:30pmYou want to know why so many teenagers and unwed people are having kids? It’s not because of the lack of sex ed. It’s not because of the lack of contraception. It’s not because “well kids will be kids!”.
It’s a lack of DISCIPLINE. Kids today don’t know what discipline is. That’s why we see so many with the entitlement attitude. No thoughts about the consequences because “BUT I WANT THIS NOW”.
The sad thing is, there’s only one real way to teach discipline; the hard way. You learn real quick why you need to make the right choices when the wrong ones come and bite you in the ass. But in today‘s society that’s considered “too mean” and “too hard”. You’re a heartless bastard if you want people to learn a lesson through failure.
I’m 21 now. I was a teenager not to long ago. I too have been tempted to sleep with every good looking girl I see. The difference is I know how to control myself and not act out of impulse. Like I said, discipline.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 21, 2012 at 10:10pm“I too have been tempted to sleep with every good looking girl I see. The difference is I know how to control myself and not act out of impulse.”
That’s one mighty recursive rationalization if I saw one.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:09pm,
Report Post »When you believe either one of these, I Love You & I Promise I won’t *** ** **** mouth, chances are your gonna wind up in the family way…………..
Cagey1
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:13amWe have had sex ed in the public schools for over 30 years. Wow what a waste of money! Sex Ed is a farce. Teens still do not know that they can get pregnant the first time. I was taught if you have sex you can get pregnant. So I didn’t have sex. It is called discipline, in the sense of self-restraint. I feared getting pregnant and not being married more than having sex. So I got married first then had sex and then had kids. I know it is archaic thinking, but it works every time it is tried. My husband and I will be celebrating 37 years of marriage soon. It is called discipline and commitment.
Report Post »phantorn
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:16amWhy does the headline say “Thought it Couldn’t Happen During First Sexual Encounter” when the article admits that they don‘t actually know why the teens thought they couldn’t get pregnant since the study didn’t ask?
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:24amAre we paying for these studies? Hasn’t this been the case for centuries? Do we need to spend money on this or study this?
Report Post »His_Way
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:17amYou’re paying alright.
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 11:00amPAY…you bet you PAY…You’re PAYING thru the nose, NOW, for every out of wed lock entitlement brat…the “gimmee set” keeps growing at an exponential rate, 5-10 kids to each, and 1-2 for the workers…….who do you think will win out…see the flash mobs now…… they will be nothing to ones coming next!
Report Post »ibthumper
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 4:25pmYes Pay and pay and pay. Government is the only answer. More control more laws and regulations will put an end to teen moms, ObamaMAMA will fix this during his next term.
OMG, you know way too many folks think this way. Hey Parents what’s your role in this?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:43am“Ah don‘t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ babies!”
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:57amThe correct quote is….I dont know nothin‘ bout birthin’ NO babies…But frankly my dear, I dont give a damn…
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:09amI stand corrected.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:33amIn other news, a year from now, the GOP will report that it is startled that it lost the presidential election. The GOP is reported to have said “But we didn’t know that if we threw Ron Paul into the dumpster like some aborted baby, that it would come back to haunt us!”…
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:09amI bet 100% of these girls have liberal parents.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:25amThere make be a few but some kids can’t be that stupid. But of course if you ask Gore the kids know more than nthe parents
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 6:07amPlanned Parenthood and the dumbing down of America combined with the Welfare State. Should we expect anything better. Get paid to lay around and watch television and free abortions for all! Yippee Skippy!
We are toast.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 6:45amThe system concentrates on how to prevent aids, not that having sex can get you pregnant. They concentrate on how to have “safe sex” not that you have to live with the consequences of a sexual union. There was one girl when I was in High School (late 70′s, early 80′s) who thought that French kissing would get you pregnant. We were taught sex = child. Don‘t do it unless you’re prepared to raise a child.
Report Post »GayDem4Beck
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 6:57amMaybe that’s because they are being forced to learn more about gay sexuality in sex ed classes, than they are about there own reproductive system. Then again, I‘m sure the young guys were telling the girls that they couldn’t get pregnant too…. they use to say that back when I was in HS just to get in there pants.
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on January 21, 2012 at 8:50pmThe dumbing down of the populace is running apace. The creation of a near illiterate electorate with an entitlement mentality that is easily manipulated is proceeding. The silent majority MUST speak up, before it is too late.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:28amIt’s a he77 of a way to learn that there are consequences for actions, but HEY, ya gotta start somewhere. Parents, do your daughters (and sons) a favor and start teaching what consequences are when they are two years old.
Report Post »Starknerd
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:47amAre you trying to say what former SG Joycelyn Elders recommedned in teaching mastubation at age five? I don’t know what you might recommend at age two.
Report Post »Starknerd
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:58amAdnil,
Perhaps you meant discipline that I think goes back to the first month. “You can‘t grab Daddy’s hair.” And remove their hand over and over and over again. Reality learning begins as life begins. That’s probably what you meant. Sorry. I was stuck on the sexual aspect of the story. If that was your intent, you’re right! I just think it goes further than two old years anyway. No offense meant.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 6:32amExactly.
“Why they thought that isn’t clear”
Really? They’re teenagers! How much of our taxpayer dollars funded this stupid study that any nit wit already knew the answer to????
Report Post »Starknerd
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 4:14am“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” Disease Control???? Prevention???? Who audits this department for efficacy? They put out their study as if to say this is what we discover and do not prevent what our title demands is a disease? Huh?
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 4:12am& guess who’s gonna pick up their tab :(
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:53amPublic Education demands the funding to teach these kids about sex I don’t think people are getting their moneys worth because not only do they get the bill but they get charged again when the baby is born to take care of it. It is the taxpayer who is getting screwed.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:51amHa! Proof positive what a horrible job “public education” is doing. Public Education is more interested that their char-gees learn that man on boy, or homosexuality is “normal” , or that one can be any gender they “feel” they are, but refuse to educate our young that when sperm meets egg, a child will most likely result.
No sane parent of today, would place their children in public education. Either home school them, or place them in religious schools.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:48amI‘ll bet these same people also think that they can’t get pregnant and/or and STD if they use birth control.
Report Post »freedomofspeech
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:11amas a teen parent , i say have them young, however with that said it would be nice if the sperm donor participated with the development of the fetus.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:37amMy babies were born young.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:38amOnce again we are seeing the results of the parents letting the government raise our kids, and not teaching responsiibility as well at home.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:33amAnd the Titanic was not supposed to sink on its maiden voyage too!!!
Report Post »freedomofspeech
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:04amhahahaha oh, man that was funny. Take it on the road:)
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:20amYou cannot fix… STUPID!
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:15amMissed sex ed class the day they covered
Report Post »chapter 5
Babies,the reason for sex.not the side effect.
pamela kay
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:10amSo all of the Sex Education that are forced on our children isn’t working? Maybe it should be up to the parents. If the parents would take the time rather than assuming their kids are educated by the schools it might help. There are so many resources out there now. Years ago they were unavailable. Parents need to sit down with there kids and communicate. Sadly some will get pregnant any way because when you are young you think you are invincable. The old “It will never happen to me.” I would bet for most of the girls it was not the first time. I feel badly for them only beacause it is a rude awakening for many.
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:09amVery sad to see the mental capacity of our younger generation, i am pretty sure that sheep, know the process of procreation.
Report Post »Our public schooling is something to be very proud of, along with great parenting, and what has been taken out of our society?
TXPilot
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:16amThanks to decades of “Progressive” government run education, we now have yet another, even more ignorant group of kids. They don’t know who George Washington is, or the facts on how someone get’s pregnant, but they can tell you the names of every disease Snooky has on Jersey Shore…..and don’t even get me started on the total lack of work ethic that the majority of kids have today.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:05amsex ed in pubic skrools failing as designed
Report Post »Winedude
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:02amYet, instead of providing these young girls with good contraceptive information, we just tell that that if they don’t have sex, they won’t get pregnant. Nothing has changed from generation to generation and teenagers are going to experiment. Let’s provide them with good information and quit making boogie men out of groups (including Planned Parenthood) that try to provide good information and contraceptives if necessary. I’d much rather have my kid on birth control pills without my knowledge than get pregnant. IF she did get pregnant and wanted to terminate the pregnancy, I‘d like to hope that I’d be told and that she’d consider all the options before doing so. Luckily for me, this was never an issue with my kids…
Report Post »His_Way
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:17amPlanned Parenthood -
Est. Abortions in the US per year: 1,200,000
Est. Abortions in the US per hour: 137
PP clinic income: $374.7 million 2008
PP Government grants and contracts: $349.6 million
Stop Planned Parenthood @ http://www.stopp.org
“STDs are one of the most critical health challenges facing the nation today. CDC estimates that there are 19 million new infections every year in the United States”.
“STDs cost the U.S. health care system $17 billion every year—and cost individuals even more in immediate and life-long health consequences”.
Report Post »CDC.gov
USAMEDIC3008
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:34amTax on teen sex to help pay health care cost
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 4:49amI‘ll bet you’re not smart enough to figure out that you can still get pregnant and/or and STD while on birth control.
If you’re ok with your kids going behind your backs to be on birth control, then you‘re not a good parent of if you’re not a parent you won’t be a good parent.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:17amwinedude..
Report Post »The most successful “Government Eugenics” program
in U.S. history , is under the guise of …“Planned Parenthood” .
objectivetruth
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:49am@get-r-done
Report Post »What planet are you from?The poster said she hopes her kids would come to her.She isn’t a lousy parent ,you are.You live in a fantasy world ,that older teenagers, are going to be completely under your control.Older teenagers, getting birth control without your knowledge and permission ,isn’t about you, as a parent.Its about automony.Its about self direction and taking control of their own lives.More conservative parents realize this.They have raised a self sufficient child.
What happens to children raised in an enviroment like you describe?Smothered covered and repressed.Once they ever get free of you[if they do and you don't attempt to stop them in some sort of fashion]they go buck wild and end up in more trouble[of all sorts]than their counterparts.Mainly due to the fact you didn’t teach them any of lifes skills.You were to busy smothering them rather than raising them.