Teenage Pregnancy

How Many Teenage Pregnancies Are There?

The pregnancy rate in under 16s has risen in the UK. In 2003 there were over eight thousand pregnancies. Latest figures show that this number has now increased by one per cent. The government claim that they can do no more to reduce teen pregnancy rates without the help of parents and guardians.

Beverley Hughes, Spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association said: “We really need parents to now see themselves as making an absolutely unique and vital contribution to this issue. It is a contribution that I don't think anyone else can actually make. She argued that it was not a matter of “over to you” but about encouraging and supporting parents to be proactive in this matter

A government spokeswoman said: "Teenage pregnancy is one of the most difficult issues facing society today - but it's also one of the most complex. We know that where young people talk openly with their parents that they begin having sex later and are more likely to use contraception."

The issue was highlighted recently when three sisters in Derby aged twelve, fourteen and sixteen all became pregnant.

What Is Currently Being Done?

• A new campaign was launched this year in target ares including Lambeth, Blackpool and Nottingham.

• Increased sex education training for teachers and healthcare workers

• Teenagers will be taken to nurseries to teach them about the responsibilities of parenting.

• young mothers would be encouraged to go back to school or work

What Are The Facts?

• Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe.

• In some of the country’s hot spots, particularly urban areas up to one in ten young girls become pregnant.

• Around 20% of conceptions among under 18s are second pregnancies.

• the latest figures show the conception rate for girls aged 15-17 has gone down slightly, from 42.8 pregnancies per 1,000 girls in 2002 to 42.3 per 1,000 girls in 2003.