Pregnancy Rate High for U.S. Teens by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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Pregnancy Rate High for U.S. Teens

DR. WALLACE: Our family living teacher said that the pregnancy rate for unwed teens in the U.S. is the highest of the industrial countries. Is this true? If so, why? - Pamela, Oklahoma City, Okla.

PAMELA: It's a fact! Our pregnancy rate is 96 births per 1,000 unwed teen girls. According to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, U.S. teenage girls become pregnant, give birth and have abortions at significantly higher rates than do teens in other industrial nations.

Also, the United States, according to this report, is the only developed country in the world where teen pregnancy has been on the increase. By comparison, England's rate is 45 births per 1,000 unwed teen girls; France, 44; Wales and Canada, 43; Ireland, 41; Sweden, 35; and Holland, 14.

The study concluded that the lowest rates of teenage pregnancy were in countries that had liberal attitudes toward sex, comprehensive sex education programs in the schools and easily accessible contraceptive services (with contraceptives provided free or at low cost, without parental notification).

What accounts for the very high rates of unwed teen pregnancy in the United States? It's not that the amount of sexual activity for American teens is greater than in other nations, it's that America's youth are not educated to use contraceptives if they are going to be sexually active.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE A BREAK

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and my boyfriend is 20. We have been dating for two years but we are on shaky ground now. When we first started dating, I treated him like dirt. I went out on him behind his back many times.

I always told him and he forgave me. Now I am deeply in love with the guy, and I would never think of going out on him again. I would like to marry him.

Well, last week, I found out that he has been going out on me. When I asked him about it, he admitted it. Now I'm really confused and hurt. Please advise me what to do and please don't tell me "turnabout is fair play." I don't want to hear that. - Nameless, Moline, Ill.

NAMELESS: The time has come to take a break — from each other. Tell your boyfriend that it would be best if he continues seeing other girls until he gets it out of his system. If and when this happens, tell him that you will be happy to see him again, that is if you are not seeing someone else. Marriage at this time is out of the question.

IT WAS WONDERFUL HEARING FROM YOU

DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I recently broke up, and I was devastated. Last week, I was reading your column when I read the letter from Susan of Santa Rosa, Calif., who was heartbroken and didn't know what to do since her boyfriend left her.

After reading your advice to her, I also took it, and it totally changed my outlook on life. I no longer get depressed or mope around the house all day. I am now enjoying life, and I'm able to hold a conversation with my "ex" without wanting to die. I want to thank you for being such a tremendous help to me! - Amy, Lake Charles, La.

AMY: It's a wonderful feeling to receive emails such as yours. Thanks for taking the time to let me know

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.