In 2012, there were 29.4 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19. This represents a total of 305,420 babies born to women in this age group. Eighty-nine percent of these births took place outside of marriage. The adolescent birth rate in 2012 shows a decline of 6% compared to 2011, when the birth rate was 31.3 per 1,000 girls. The teen birth rate has declined fairly steadily over the past 20 years. In 1991, the teen birth rate in the United States was 61.8 births per 1,000 teenage girls, compared to 29.4 births per 1,000 girls in 2012, which is pretty good. The teenage birth rate in the United States remains higher than that of many other developed countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Even though the number of teenage pregnancies is decreasing, there are still many pregnant teenagers in today's society. Unfortunately, many teens who get pregnant don't know much about the whole process. They obviously know the act itself, but they do not know the harm that can result from it. They are not aware of the things that can protect them from the repercussions of their actions. One of the main reasons teens don't use birth control (even if they know it) is because they were using alcohol and/or drugs at the time. In a recent study on teen pregnancy, 1/3 of 14-21 year olds studied said they got pregnant while drinking or drunk. Ninety-one percent said they had not planned to have sex at that time. Adolescents who actively participate in these activities do not realize that what they do has an impact on more than just them. People having children while still teenagers will not only affect their own lives, but will also affect the lives of the children involved...... middle of paper ...... which can and most likely will arrive. “If we are to, as a nation, break the cycle of poverty, crime, and a growing underclass of young people ill-equipped to become productive citizens, we must not only implement effective programs to prevent teenage pregnancies, but we must also help those who need it. already given birth so that they become effective, nurturing and bonding parents. (Jane Fonda) Knowledge is power, the power to stop this cycle from continuing on its destructive path. Everyone will benefit without a shadow of a doubt from this prevention. Our society as a whole will be better because of it. It will be better if teenagers behave like teenagers. The children who are born will be born to parents who are older, wiser, and willing and able to provide for them. Society will no longer have to bear the burden of paying for those who cannot support themselves.