In today's society, teenage mothers are very common. MTV has two television shows that follow the lives of new mothers and document their first trimester. They show these girls under the influence, arrested and not taking care of their own children. Even though it's a reality TV show, there's a lot of truth to what these moms do. Teenage pregnancy is a controversial issue due to negative stereotypes, the health of teenage mothers and the health risks they pose to their babies. Although the percentage of teenage pregnancies in the United States has declined significantly in recent years; it's still a huge problem that needs to be resolved. Rates are even higher in the 1990s than they were just a period ago.” The teenage birth rate in the United States matches most other industrialized countries, even though American adolescents are no more sexually active than those in Canada or Europe” (Gormly 348). The latest statistics regarding the teenage birth rate are frightening. Around 560,000 adolescent girls give birth each year. Eight out of ten of these births were the result of unwanted pregnancies. Adolescents who become sexually active earlier are at greater risk, primarily because they are less likely to use birth control. “African American and Hispanic adolescents are twice as likely to give birth as white adolescents. Adolescent girls who come from disadvantaged neighborhoods and attend segregated schools are at higher risk of pregnancy” (Calhoun 309). Schools should launch programs that encourage abstinence and show the consequences of sexual activity. "They are not taught the importance of abstaining from sex or, at the very least, the appropriate use of...... middle of paper ......ssip. Np, nd Web. May 15, 2014."HowStuffWorks "Pregnancy Complications Among Teenage Mothers" HowStuffWorks Np, nd Web May 15, 2014. "Jenelle Evans. " The Hollywood Gossip. Np, nd Web. May 15, 2014. " Teen Pregnancy Statistics - Teen Pregnancy. " Teen Pregnancy Statistics - Teen Pregnancy. Np, nd Web. May 8, 2014. “Teen Pregnancy Facts.” Chicks in Crisis RSS, nd Web. “Medical Risk of Teen Pregnancy During pregnancy and childbirth. Np, nd Web May 7, 2014. “Teenage pregnancy and health risks: protecting yourself and your baby” RSS 20. Np, nd Web May 7, 2014. “Pregnancy guide. among adolescents”. May 7 2014