Teen birth rates highest in most religious states

Throw on a dong bag before you go poundin' that vag.

Yes Thank you Bush pushed for abstinence only
programs and Teen Pregnancy wen't up.

This is going to shock many people. Abstinence only works if you "abstain"! What a radical thought. Semi-Abstinence results in total pregnancy, another great surprise! I am seriously worried about the fate of our Nation when I read some comments on this issue.

well ok then teaching abstinence only
dosen't work Teen are not just going
to ignore there hormones.

"Clay", you have done it now. Of course race has a basis in early teen pregnancies. But this is the 3rd rail of Welfare programs and Socialism. Especially the FACT that many underage teen minorities are being impregnated by adults: friends, relatives, or neighbors!

Yes, you are probably right. Gotta blame some one!

I live in Houston and I agree this is definitely an issue here, its cultural especially for Hispanics.

you're right. the first 12 states have large hispanic and black populations.

i'm from texas. trust me that i have seen countless young latinas and african-american girls who are pregnant. at my highschool, i honestly remember only 4 white girls who were pregnant. two pregnant and two in one of my classes who already had a child.

many others throughout the halls through the years, latina and black.

in lower income families, there are many issues facing the young latin generation. not just a lack of education, but the lack of talk about sex and the benefits of eduacation and communication. it wasn't accepted for the older women to discuss those things. in turn, the daughters don't know of the ways of prevention and learning. but talking religion, there is no doubt about the heavy Catholic people in south Texas, so there is never the option for abortion.

I think this is more of cultural issue rather than religious. A lack of education creates more ignorance and promiscuity amongst our people. Trust me I've seen it and known many girls in these situations.

It's just one issue needing resolvement in our communities for Hispanic progression.

Two things that are bothering me with your statement.

1) "But the facts will tell that most of these states have a higher population of africans and hispanics. These two races have a much higher teen pregnancy rate than a mostly white state like Massachusetts."

That comment itself gives an implication that BECAUSE someone is African American or a Latino American, they are more likely to have higher rates of teen pregnancies compared to Caucasians. The way that statistic works is that the numbers are there to tell you what is happening at the current time the statistics were done, not as a predictor. People who use statistics as a predictor do not understand the concepts of statistics. Btw, most people don't understand it at all.

2) "This has allot less to do with religion, and allot more to do with demographics."

According to the US Census Bureau of Mississippi in 2008, Caucasians Americans = 60.6%, African Americans = 37.2%, and Latino Americans = 2.2%
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28000.html
Keep in mind, Mississippi is ranked #1 in birth rate and in religiousness.

According to the US Census Bureau of Arkansas in 2008, Caucasian Americans = 80.8%, African Americans = 15.8%, and Latino Americans = 5.6% http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05000.html
Arkansas is ranked #12 in birth rate and #7 in religiousness.

According to the US Census Bureau of Tennessee in 2008, Caucasian Americans = 80.4%, African Americans = 16.8% and Latino Americans = 3.7%
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47000.html Tennessee is ranked #8 in birth rate and #4 in religiousness.

According to the US Census Bureau of New York in 2008, Caucasian Americans = 73.4%, African Americans = 17.3% and Latino Americans = 16.7%. New York is ranked #46 in birth rate and #42 in religiousness.

According to your statement, you claim that demographics is the reason, not religion. But, based on the demographics given by the US Census Bureau, the states of Arkansas and Tennessee should be low on the birth rate. But, according to the list, they're ranked #12 and #8 in birth rate with around 80% of the population being Caucasian American and #7 and #4 in religiousness.

Again, by your reasoning, New York should be ranked somewhere near the top because it has less Caucasian Americans and more African Americans and Latino Americans compared to Arkansas and Tennessee. But, they are ranked 46 in birth rate and and 42 in religiousness.

By statistics itself, it seems that there may be a correlation between religiousness and birth rate. Whether it's a cause, it's unknown.

That explains a lot!

Moonloon, Defender of Copulation

here's a link that show abstinence dose not work
http://www.publicchristian.com/?p=734
this link shows that red states have higher
abortion rates.

I guess I was presumptuous to say those states don't believe or do abortion. They're evil, what was I thinking?!

Being devoutly religious, abstinence seems stupid to me. First off, they shouldn't have had sex before marriage in the first place. Because they did they've probably developed a bad habit of having increased libido, like an alcoholic builds a tolerance.

"Macfan", would you care to elaborate on your claim that, "abstinence does not work"? I suggest that abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancies. Unless, artificial insemination is the new idea of "romance"!

Yes abstinence works great just
ask Bristol Palin.

I think that the word is spelled, "great". Grate is a metal weir placed over a hole to filter out unwanted trash. Are you suggesting that the girl was impregnated by immaculate conception? Otherwise, she was not practicing abstinence. And exactly what does her situation have to do with this discussion. Her personal issue is none of your business. It is between her, the father, and her parents!
Stick your nose in another pig trough! There is plenty enough of them in the Democratic camp.

Ha Ha! You guys are funny.

Her Parents told her to abstinent
and she got Pregnant any way.

"They found a strong correlation between statewide conservative religiousness and statewide teen birth rate even when they accounted for income and abortion rates."

Did anybody even read the article??

"Because they did they've probably developed a bad habit of having increased libido, like an alcoholic builds a tolerance."
What? ....What? ...........What?
That has to be one of the most stupidest comments I have ever heard. Care to back this claim?? So far, there has been no study, or PROOF, as a matter of fact, about your statement whatsoever.

@MoonLoon,
Despite all the statistics, studies, and research, it has concluded that abstinence only IS NOT effective. Yes, it works IN THEORY. But, in practicality, it doesn't. This whole abstinence only crap is just some subtle way of saying "NO SEX AT ALL...unless it's for making lots of babies....."

You, sir are an expert on the beliefs of other people?

Yes sir, I am! I was raised in the extremely conservative West Texas in one of the most conservative/puritan churches in the south: The Church of Christ.

So, I do know about the beliefs of a very large group of people (conservative religious southerners). I can't tell you how many times I've heard those verses about populating the earth.....

Additionally, I could probably kick your ass in a debate about any Bible topic, citing book, chapter & verse.

That is great Randall. You are the one that brought up "procreation", as a "conservative initiative". I was simply referring to conservatives as being generally opposed to abortion, preferring to raise the child, rather than to murder it in the womb! Regarding the Bible? Are you choosing a scholastic debate or a belief based debate? I of course choose belief. You are free to debate the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin, I, however, have moved beyond that particular issue. Regarding, the details of Biblical, lore, I will follow the advice of Solomon, not to engage fools in discussion lest you be considered as one of them. Lost Boys need help and I hope that you can find it!

Lol, good one... Why do you think I'd be scholastic in debate?

I was raised with **beliefs** and I know the **beliefs** of my entire family & Religious community, and I could still engage in a Religious debate with you regarding **beliefs**.

Thanks for calling me a fool, though.

Thought you might be interested in this info from Answers.com :) Reformation: A 16th-century movement in Western Europe that aimed at reforming some doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant churches.

You mean people fuck before marriage. It does take two.

"remember it takes to too get pregnant."

You messed up both uses of the words to/two/too. Must be from Oklahoma.

then use a condom dumbass

Thank you. You said what I wanted to say, I completely agree with you. People really should do more research before making rude and demeaning comments about other people's beliefs saying that is why birth rates are so high.

For example, I am a christian however, I do not just believe abortion is wrong because someone says it is, I believe it is wrong for completely different reasons. So people while they can judge and most do based on the beliefs system of others, that is not always the reason that people feel the way they do.

i totally disagree. a christian is not a 'follower of jesus christ', a prophet who may or may not have lived 2000yrs ago, but history only has four PR guys writing about it years later. a christian today is a follower of today's evangelicals and rome. if one was to take the alleged teachings and words of this guy and act accordingly, we would be saying WTF are we doing...that isn't what he said or taught.

To wayseeker: the Catholic Church itself is an offshoot of the Orthodox Church.

To ryan: a follower of Jesus Christ is just that, a follower of Jesus Christ - not just of a prophet who lived long ago, but of the eternal God who lives even now. those who hear Him know His voice, and know Him mystically, intimately, and personally.

"It's Obama's fault! This is Obama's America. Rush told me so."

LOL, come on Wake. I'm trying to be serious here...

We need our attendance numbers to grow because we'll make more money, hmm..

I know! Let's tell our followers that abortion and contraception are evil!

"They found a strong correlation between statewide conservative religiousness and statewide teen birth rate even when they accounted for income and abortion rates."

It's in the article.

Whether you have an abortion or not, you are or were still pregnant therefore abortion has nothing to do with pregnancy rates, only birth rates. If you are going to criticize something or someone or even a group of people you should know what you are talking about before you comment. No disrespect intended.

Actually, I grew up in a relatively dogmatic church, and hand jobs were all the rage.

They want kids to get close, so they don't turn out gay, but they don't want them to have sex... so they say just do hand jobs instead.

It's sad really, that not even giving them an avenue like that works. I guess you are just going to have to educate the kids and allow them to make the best decisions for themselves.

I'll tell you what, all of the most educated girls I have ever been with were very condom conscious.

The first handjob church of christ, sign me up!

Oh obviously, looks like you've found the one reason for all teen pregnancies nice job detective.

By the way I do agree with your statement for the most part but its way over-simplifying things, for example you forgot to mention raging hormones as a possible culprit also.

what about snake handlers, baptist, mormons, and evangelicals? Don't leave them out... man I love saying snake handlers...

Christianity is a broad category that includes Protestants, Presbyterians, and yes, Catholics among many other denominations. Catholicism is Christian because they hold that belief in Christ is the key to salvation.

Within the Christian community Catholics are usually well known for being Legalistic and Works based. Something that completely contradicts what Christ taught.

yeah but Catholics are also known as being pretty middle of the road compared to evnagelicals and mormons and such
also notable for not going to mass

you're all the same to me!!!!

correction:

Catholics don't believe in the use of contraception and I wouldn't even classify them as Christians.

MissMeliss, Catholics are Christian, they believe in Jesus as their saviour.

that is certainly no coincidence with the union rates. Unions = middle class living.

Haha! When I was in Charleston my friend was crazy about that Sweet Tea Vodka.

Firefly motha fucka

I loved firefly when I was there. I brought 3 bottles home. Now they are selling it here in Buffalo =)

Well, when I lived in Mississippi its what I saw.

lmao where do you live im in fl and i see this every day and one of my old high schools was known as the std school.

Well maybe you don't live in the right state now do you? ;)

what is a sonogram?
and i agree

son⋅o⋅gram
  /ˈsɒnəˌgræm, ˈsoʊnə-/ [son-uh-gram, soh-nuh-]

–noun Medicine/Medical.
the visual image produced by reflected sound waves in a diagnostic ultrasound examination.

Basically, when the baby is in the womb, you can see it using a sonogram.

And me being only 16, I totally agree. I would flip out if I saw my daughter preggo with another boy's baby, but I guess thats just because I'm super protective when it comes to women....

hahahahahah so do these teens in these liberals states even have parents or A PARENT or even someone there to talk to them about sex??

come on this is the most idiotic dividing misleading bullshit and it got you rallied up..

The point of the study is:

Whatever is happening in christian states isn't working in comparison to the more non-christian.

Dogmatic, derivative values, such as not believing in contraception and treating sex as wrong, aren't effective at combating real problems... Big surprise!!

What pisses me off the most about you turbo christians is that you are trying to be the best christians you can be, and yet you totally ignore the intuition and intellect that you were blessed with.

God wants you to think and consider the realities of the world he created. That's why he gave you a brain. Anyone who tries to make not thinking a virtue is trying to control you.

Thinking like this is what got George Bush II elected.

You dogmatic christians should be ashamed of yourselves.

I totally agree, slarabee...

When my youngest sister (who is 10 years younger) became sexually active & exploratory, my Religious dad spoke nothing of it, as if hoping it would go away.

As a good older brother, I gave her a talk about practicing safe sex and taking care of her body. I told her that pregnancy at her age is not an option; she has listened... Glad I'm the parent our dad couldn't be!

I'm going to say it is many factor besides that.

Kids get married earlier and have their babies earlier. Besides not being able to have abortions there are many other logical reasons. People in the midwest typically can afford more land/bigger houses, so teens have more accesibility to privacy. Also friends just out of highschool can afford to have apartments, so they can go over to their friends with their woman. The driving age is younger, so they have cars to go places (including, but not limited to 3rd base). Lastly, their parent are more lenient, because they figure the worst thing their kid can do is go out cow tipping or something.