Nearly forty-six percent believe that abstinence-plus is best (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2004). Schools should teach that abstinence is a primary goal, but they should also teach about condoms and other forms of contraception. Slightly over one-third believe that abstinence is not the most important thing, and that sex education classes should focus on helping teens learn how to make responsible decisions about sex (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2004). Condoms are only ninety-seven percent effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly (Alters).
In a special analysis by Kaiser Family Foundation of the top twenty shows teen viewer's watch, almost half of the episodes that included a reference to sex also included a reference to a safer sex topic. The study also revealed that safer sex messages were more common in shows that have characters involved in a sexual intercourse and teens in sexual situations both nearly twice the rate found four years ago.
Teen pregnancy has an abundance of other social issues that affects our society. To start with, there's poverty, education and health. This is mainly because teens are still kids themselves and they're just not able or even ready to take on the responsibility of raising a child. The costs alone are having a huge impact on society. Did you know that teen mothers will cost taxpayers about $9 billion each year? (Roe V. Wade) This number includes costs for healthcare and welfare. Since teen mothers are unable to juggle school, work and raise a baby, they often times perform badly in school. Roughly sixty-seven percent of families that start out in their teens end up living in poverty (Roe V. Wade). .
Fifty-two percent of mothers that are on welfare today had their first child when they were a teen (Roe V. Wade). These numbers are this way because many mothers who become pregnant during high school drop out because they endeavor to find a better paying job.
