Teen Birth Rate Soars

Teen Birth Rate Soars in 26 States   The teen birth rate is up significantly in 26 states, according to government data released today and reported by USA Today. The highest rates in 2006 were in the South and Southwest; Mississippi led the way, with 68.4 births per 1,000 15- to 19-year-old girls. The lowest rates were in the Northeast. Pinning down the reasons the rates have increased isn't easy. Some blame the sexualized culture. Chad Hills, research analyst at Focus on the Family Action, named another culprit. "Since schools have our children for much of their adolescent lives, the message they give our kids about sexual activity is crucial," he said. "Our liberal society's dream of consequence-free sexual activity is a lie. The truth is that all sexual activity does have consequences, condom or no condom." Hills said the foundation of a stable society rests on marriage and family. "When we deviate from these structures, in the name of tolerance and individualism, we destabilize society," he said. Contact: Jennifer Mesko Source: CitizenLink Source URL: http://www.citizenlink.org Publish Date: January 7, 2009 Link to this article: http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/090108_4.htm