Understanding Teen Pregnancy

Having one or two children as a teen sets the stage for many poor putcomes for both mother and child .

Did you know:
• 80% of teen fathers do not marry the mother of their child.

• 50% of all teen mothers never graduate high school.

• 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree (usually by the age of 30).

• 66% of teens who have had sex wish they waited.

Understanding Teen Dating Abuse

Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating abuse occurs when harmful behaviors are repeated, creating a pattern of violence.

There are three common types of dating abuse:
• Physical abuse occurs when a teen is pinched, hit, shoved, or kicked.
• Emotional abuse means threatening a teen or harming his or her sense of self-worth. Examples include    name calling, teasing, threats, bullying or keeping a teen away from friends and family.
• Sexual abuse is forcing a teen to engage in a sex act.   This includes fondling and rape.
Dating abuse often starts with teasing and name calling.

These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors can lead to more serious abuse like physical assault and rape.

Why is dating abuse a public health problem?

Dating abuse is a serious problem in the United States. Many teens do not report abuse because they are afraid to tell friends and family.
• 72% of 8th and 9th graders reportedly “date”
• 1 in 4 adolescents report verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse each year
• 1 in 11 high school students report being physically hurt by someone they were dating

                                                                                                                                              How does dating abuse affect health?

Dating abuse has a negative effect on health throughout life. Teens who are abused are more likely to do poorly in school. They often engage in unhealthy behaviors like drug and alcohol use. The anger and stress that victims feel may lead to eating disorders and depression. Some abused teens even think about or attempt suicide. Abused teens often carry the patterns of violence into future relationships. Physically abused teens are three times more likely than their non-abused peers to experience violence during college. In adulthood, they are more likely to be involved in intimate partner violence.

Facts courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.       www.cdc.gov/injury            www.cdcinfo@cdc.gov