For the first time since 1991, teen pregnancy rates rose between 2005 and 2006.
Some accuse high-profile cases of teen pregnancy like Jamie Lynn Spears. Others blame the glorification of celebrities who have children out of wedlock. Yet others blame the economy, saying, "A cutback in community resources for youth during the last eight years could help explain the increase in teen pregnancies."
A major concern regarding the rise of teen pregnancies is that teenager tend to take less care of themselves while pregnant than adults, leading to high numbers of babies with low birth weights.
While teen pregnancy is on the rise, young smokers seems to be on the decline. The same study demonstrated the rate of eighth-grade smoking is down. Experts attribute the drop to education efforts for young teens and adults.
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What do you blame for the recent increase in teen pregnancies? Do you feel the blame runs deeper than education and celebrities? What should churches' response to this type of news be?
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