Summary: Majority of Unintended Teenage Pregnancy Occurs Outside Marriage

United States teen pregnancy rates, birth rates, and rates of sexually transmitted infections remain among the highest in the world. The vast majority of births to teenage mothers are unintended and occur outside of marriage, and teenage mothers and their children have more negative outcomes than do women who delay childbearing.

• According to Child Trends, rates of teenage pregnancy and childbearing have been declining in the U.S. among all racial/ethnic groups, among older and younger teenagers, and in all states. However, the most recent estimates indicate a slowing of the decline in the U.S. teen birth rates, with increases in birth rates in two states and an increase in the total number of births to teens. Also, U.S. teen pregnancy rates, birth rates, and rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain among the highest in the world. The vast majority of births to teenage mothers are unintended and occur outside of marriage, and teenage mothers and their children have more negative outcomes than do women who delay childbearing. The most obvious ways for teenagers to avoid early and unintended pregnancy, childbearing, and STIs are by delaying sexual initiation or, if teenagers are sexually experienced, by reducing levels of sexual activity and the number of sexual partners, and by improving contraceptive use. Delaying sexual intercourse has been shown to be associated with multiple positive outcomes. Compared with teenagers who have sex at a young age, adolescents who delay their first sexual experience are less likely to regret the timing of their first sexual experience, have fewer sexual partners, and are less likely to be involved in coercive sexual relationships.¹

¹Trends and Recent Estimates: Sexual Activity Among U.S. Teens, Child Trends, June 2006, pp. 1-7.