September 16, 2007

Teaching Prevention is Key

South Carolina has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the nation. Every day, 30 teen-
aged girls become pregnant in South Carolina.
Teen mothers are more likely to experience complications with pregnancy, drop out of school and live in poverty. The children of these mothers are more likely to be incarcerated, experience abuse and neglect and to enter foster care. Their daughters are likely to repeat the cycle. And of course we cannot forget the taxpayers who foot the bill of $643,000 per year.
What disturbs me the most about these facts is that the majority of these teen pregnancies that occur on a daily basis are unwanted. The solution is simple: PREVENTION. Teaching prevention in schools and at home along with ensuring that contraceptives are available and affordable to all women, despite age, economic status, or race is the only way to stop this vicious cycle.
Unfortunately, many South Carolinians do not agree with this approach. While some are staunch in their ways that we should teach abstinence-only to our youth, the majority are simply uneducated about what works. That’s why we must come together and tell anyone who will listen why access to and education about reproductive health is so important. Educate your neighbors, your friends and your colleagues. I believe that with education, we can change and shape the future for thousands of youth across our state.
Born and raised in Columbia, Kate Hampton received a B.A. in journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. Kate is the South Carolina Field Coordinator for Planned Parenthood Health Systems. She serves on the board of the League of Women Voters and also co-chairs the Legislative Committee for the NOW organization.