Citrus: Teen pregnancies' big impact is economic

Editor's Note: The Citrus County Health Department and many other organizations nationwide are observing October as "Let's Talk Month," otherwise known as National Teen Sexuality Education Month. Among organizers' major goals is to draw attention to the effects of adolescent childbearing, and to highlight the importance of parent-child communication. The health department has provided several short informational items, which the Citrus Times is featuring on Mondays this month. Here is the third installment.

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For the individual, the social costs of teenage pregnancies are often first and foremost economic. According to studies conducted by Dr. Janet Hardy, a Johns Hopkins professor emeritus of pediatrics, if a woman has her first child after she is 20 years old, her economic success and standard of living are greatly enhanced. If she waits until 25, the outcome is even better.

The U.S. economy endures most of the 1-million out-of-wedlock or unintended pregnancies each year. Even though the numbers are beginning to slow, still about 500,000 babies are born while 500,000 pregnancies are terminated by either induced or spontaneous abortion. Various studies put the impact at $2-billion to $35-billion annually, depending on where you start and stop adding the related costs.

Talking to kids at any age about sexuality can be challenging. But it is also very effective. Kids want the truth and they want it from a trusted adult. To help you start, pick up a copy of the brochure "How To Talk To Your Kids About Sex" at any Citrus County Health Department office. Also check out another brochure, "Talking the Talk," which is available at the health department offices and middle or high school guidance offices.

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