Give Texas a Pat on the Back for Decreasing High School Dropouts but then Again, Teen Birth Rate Remains the Highest.

It is great news to know that Texas’ high school dropout rates have decreased but it is not great to know that not only Texas teens’ birth rate is high but the highest in the country. From the Kids Count, it is reported that there are 63 births per every 1,000 females aged 15-19. Texas has seemingly to decrease their birth rate, but still have the highest birth rate among the 50 states. According to Frances Deviney of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, she says that because Texas has a high percentage of Hispanics, (35 percent of Texas population and rising) and Hispanic teens have higher birth rates than other groups. This implies that culture plays a factor in the state’s statistics.


What can we do to help decrease Texas’ teens' birth rates? The state and local government needs to concentrate on this issue similar to the way they did with high school dropouts. If we can improve the declining numbers of students dropping out of school then Texas is much capable of lowering the teen birth rate. Are sex educators even really explaining about this issue well? Texas schools have focused on abstinence in sex education classes. Yes, abstinence is one answer but they lack focus on other approaches. Every topic is important in this issue and they all need to be elaborated on. Topics such as STDs,
HIV/AIDS, if they happen to have sex; the use of condoms, what abortion is and etc. It is hard as a teen to raise a child and because of that, it is important teenagers are better informed. Parents have to be involved as well for teenagers to take notice. If more parents can talk about this issue I believe Texas can reduce the statistic in this state.

I am just one person, lets see if other people will see this issue and help Texas leave the number one ranking in teen birth rate.




For this Article:Fewer Texas kids dropping out: But new report shows state teen birth rate, infant mortality remain high.