Turning Childbirth Data Upside Down
This is excellent news
A few years ago, I was fortunate to hear a small group presentation by the former CEO of MTV. It was, to my surprise, about the show 16 and Pregnant and how instrumental it was in lowering teen childbirth rates.
I was far too old to watch this show when it came out and, like most, sneered at it like the snob I am. But, when you think about, it makes so much sense that the thing that would convince teenage girls not to have children is seeing what it is really like to be a teenage mom. It’s not a great life, and kids are much more likely to learn by watching other kids’ challenges than from boring adults going on and on like the teacher in Peanuts.
However they learn, the end result is one to be celebrated, and as of a brand new study, there is even more reason to party. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, teen birth rates have cratered to a record low, while births among women over 40 is at a record high. And, for the first time, the average age of birthing mothers is 30-34, it used to be 25-29. On top of that, the birth rate among girls 10-14 (I can’t even talk about it) used to be 1.4 and now it’s effectively zero. And our general birth rate is still declining.
POP THE CHAMPAGNE.
This says to me that women and girls are finally getting the education and economic opportunities that allow them to make better, smarter choices for themselves and their future children. They’re getting married later and having children later if at all, giving them time to establish careers and reduce the likelihood of suffering a major pay gap, travel, get to know themselves, heck, just be people. What a great day.
On my latest podcast episode I talk to Lauren Bean Buitta, CEO of Girl Security, about why it’s important to get more women into National Security. Stats like these prove that we have more and more women who have the ability to take on challenging careers, get established, and then have children if they choose to. We’re doing something very right here, and it’s all because of MTV.
Now if only they would bring back Kurt Loder.
Kat