| How does religion affect teens' birth rate? |
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Teenage birth rates are higher in states with greater levels of religious belief,
possibly due to strong disapproval of contraception, a study suggests. [1]
In the study, researchers compared U.S. CDC data on teen birth rates with data from
the Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscapes Survey. A state's level of religious
belief was determined by averaging the percentage of respondents who agreed with
the eight most conservative opinions in the survey, such as "Scripture should be
taken literally, word for word." [1]
Mississippi topped the list for conservative religious beliefs and teen birth rates.
More abortions among teens in less religious states. But even after accounting for
the abortions, the study team still found a state's level of religiosity could predict their
teen birth rate. [3]
Most of those "religious" states are also so-called red states. Generalizations are
always dangerous, but lack of education, low or no income, and increased religiosity
tend to intertwine and build on each other. One other, possibly more interesting
development released in this new study is that the children of teen mothers are
more likely to have mental health issues. [2]
The relationship could be also due to the fact that communities with such religious
beliefs (a literal interpretation of the Bible, for instance) may frown upon
contraception, researchers say. If that same culture isn't successfully discouraging
teen sex, the pregnancy and birth rates rise. Earlier marriage among religious
individuals could also partly explain the finding. [3]
Reference
[1] Teen Birth Rates Higher in States Where Religion Is Widespread U.S. News
Sept. 16 2009
[2] Too Much Religion Leads to High Teen Pregnancy Rates Bonnie Erbe, Thomas
Jefferson Street blogU.S. News September 18, 2009
[3] Link may be due to communities frowning on contraception, researchers say
MSNBC.COM Sept . 16, 2009
possibly due to strong disapproval of contraception, a study suggests. [1]
In the study, researchers compared U.S. CDC data on teen birth rates with data from
the Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscapes Survey. A state's level of religious
belief was determined by averaging the percentage of respondents who agreed with
the eight most conservative opinions in the survey, such as "Scripture should be
taken literally, word for word." [1]
Mississippi topped the list for conservative religious beliefs and teen birth rates.
More abortions among teens in less religious states. But even after accounting for
the abortions, the study team still found a state's level of religiosity could predict their
teen birth rate. [3]
Most of those "religious" states are also so-called red states. Generalizations are
always dangerous, but lack of education, low or no income, and increased religiosity
tend to intertwine and build on each other. One other, possibly more interesting
development released in this new study is that the children of teen mothers are
more likely to have mental health issues. [2]
The relationship could be also due to the fact that communities with such religious
beliefs (a literal interpretation of the Bible, for instance) may frown upon
contraception, researchers say. If that same culture isn't successfully discouraging
teen sex, the pregnancy and birth rates rise. Earlier marriage among religious
individuals could also partly explain the finding. [3]
Reference
[1] Teen Birth Rates Higher in States Where Religion Is Widespread U.S. News
Sept. 16 2009
[2] Too Much Religion Leads to High Teen Pregnancy Rates Bonnie Erbe, Thomas
Jefferson Street blogU.S. News September 18, 2009
[3] Link may be due to communities frowning on contraception, researchers say
MSNBC.COM Sept . 16, 2009