2010-05-29 Drop in rates of teen pregnancy is a good sign for the future

2010-05-29  Vancouver Sun \teen pregnancy\sex education\contraception\Canada http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Drop+rates+teen+pregnancy+good+sign+future/3087162/story.html Drop in rates of teen pregnancy is a good sign for the future Drop in rates of teen pregnancy is a good sign for the future  ...there is some empirical evidence that kids exposed to sexual images are more likely to engage in sexual activity. The message seems to be getting through, and that's not good news.

But fortunately, according to a new study from the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, it's evident that the pop culture message isn't the only one having on impact of teenagers' sexual behaviour. The study, based on Statistics Canada figures, found that teen pregnancies decreased by nearly 37 per cent nationally and 35 per cent in British Columbia in the 10-year period between 1996 and 2006.

As a result, the teen birth/abortion rate for 15-to 19-year-olds in Canada dropped from 44.2 per 1,000 in 1996, to 27.9 in 2006. The Canadian teen birthrate declined 38 per cent, from 22.3, to 13.7 per 1,000, and the abortion rate declined 35.7 per cent, from 22.1 to 14.2 per 1,000.

These are undeniably positive figures, no matter what one's politics. And just how positive they are can be seen by comparing them to figures from countries with similar political structures and levels of economic development.

&ldquo;according to a new study from the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada ... teen pregnancies decreased by nearly 37 per cent nationally and 35 per cent in British Columbia in the 10-year period between 1996 and 2006.&rdquo;   