Vulnerable Population - Research Proposal Example

the highest teen birth rate in the country (63.4 per 1,000) in 2005, closely followed by states Texas and New Mexico at 61.6 each; New Hampshire had the lowest teen birth rate (17.9). The report states “in 2006, the overall birth rate for 15– to 19– year-old females was 41.9, but So, why are the statistics for adolescent pregnancy in the US more than most other countries like Canada, UK or Sweden where teens are considered to be more sexually active? In fact there are more reasons than one (Strasburger, 2006).

The youth today are not educated about birth control in their sex education classes. Parents are uncomfortable to discuss it with their children at home; even the media does not help much in promoting the concept of safe sex. Those countries which are more vocal about the issue are rewarded with low cases of unwanted pregnancy and STDs (sexually transmitted disease). Research has shown that main causes of teenage pregnancy comprise the lack of a sense of personal responsibility, immaturity, and most importantly being oblivious about the outcome of sexual intercourse.

An interesting fact is that the decision to indulge in sexual activity is a complicated one, influenced by family, peers, religion, and individual behavior. In most cases, teenage pregnancy has close links with poverty, limited education and employment opportunities. Being underage, teenagers often face significantly higher complications both during pregnancy and delivery. This may include biological immaturity or complications associated with poor preconception health and antenatal care. “So, when teens become pregnant or contract an STD, they, their children, and society at large often pay a significant price, both in human and in monetary terms,” according to Douglas Kirby (2007).

Here are some statistics from his article that reiterate this fact: “Roughly half (47 percent ) of all high school students in the U.S. report having sex at least once, and close to two-thirds (63