More than forty percent of all girls become pregnant before the age of twenty? .
Approximately every two minutes, a teenage girl in the U.S. gives birth. .
Although the overall rate of teen pregnancy has been declining, it is still an enormous problem that needs to be addressed. .
Teenage pregnancy is a major concern in today's society; there are many ways to prevent teen pregnancy, many people to get advice from, and many decisions that a teen parent must make. .
Some Americans believe that teen pregnancies are a serious national problem, a problem that is thought to be moral decline. .
However, what causes these teens to become pregnant at such a young age is based on a number of factors that underlie teen sexual and contraceptive behavior. .
Some of these factors include gender, age, and timing of puberty. .
A second group of factors is based on community and the family such as violence, poverty, unemployment, and parents" lack of education, parents lack of support, and inappropriate sexual pressure or abuse. .
There are also, more factors including the teenager's attitudes and beliefs about sexual behavior and pregnancy.
Among the many factors which may lead to teen pregnancy, the four that are the most predictive of early pregnancy are poverty, early behavioral problems, family problems, and a low self-esteem.
There are several theories about the reasons why so many teens living in poverty become pregnant.
Many teens living in poverty are likely to view early childbearing as a positive choice. .
Teens feel that becoming pregnant may improve their lives. .
Teenagers consider having a baby as a desire to become welfare dependent. .
In other words, teens deliberately become pregnant and have babies in order to collect welfare and set up their own households. .
Many pregnant teens believe that their babies will lead lives very different from their own. .
There are teenagers who live with drug addiction, violence, and a sense of hopelessness.