[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1285-H1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, 30 percent of all out-of-wedlock births 
are to teenagers below the age of 20. That astonishing reality should 
be alarming to Congress and to the citizens of our country. More 
importantly, the recently implemented welfare reform has accelerated 
the need to address the issue of out-of-wedlock teen births.
  As we consider solutions to this issue, we must keep in mind that no 
other industrialized nation with a standard of living comparable to the 
United States has a problem of this dimension. On the problem of 
teenage pregnancy, we have the dubious distinction of leading the 
world. It is critical that our Nation take a clear stand against teen 
pregnancy and that this position be widely publicized.
  We must encourage and then be engaged in a national discussion about 
how religious culture and public values influence both teenage 
pregnancy and the way our society responds to this dilemma. We must 
encourage and stimulate innovative solutions through local schools, 
churches, and civic groups, as well as local and State officials.
  We must foster community involvement where each community will 
determine what would be appropriate and acceptable based on the 
community's standards and values. I think you will agree that these 
decisions must be made at the community level, by the individuals who 
care the most and who have the greatest influence with these young 
people. The parents, families, churches, teachers, scout leaders, and 
community members who know these teenagers best will determine what 
kinds of programs their community should use to help their young people 
avoid becoming teen parents prematurely.
  As we consider how and where to reduce spending, we must also not 
forget that teen pregnancy costs a heavy burden on the Federal budget. 
If we want to balance the budget, let us begin by working to bring some 
balance to the lives of thousands and thousands of our teenagers 
involved in premature childbearing.
  Once a teenager becomes pregnant, there is no good solution. There is 
pain

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in adoption, there is pain in abortion, there is pain and suffering 
giving birth and parenting a child prematurely. The best solution is to 
prevent the pregnancy. Young people who believe that they have a real 
future to risk have real incentives to delay parenting. This is why 
when we demand responsible behavior, we have a reciprocal obligation to 
offer a real future beyond early parenting and poverty.
  Reducing teen childbearing is likely to require more than eliminating 
or manipulating welfare programs. Experience tells us that threats and 
punishment are not the best way to get teens to behave in a way that is 
good for them and their future.
  The most successful approach to reducing teen childbearing is to 
design policies and procedures that are targeted to encourage positive 
developmental behavior through beneficial adult role models and job 
connections.
  We must implement pregnancy prevention programs that educate and 
support school age youths between the ages of 10 and 21 in high risk 
situations and their family members through comprehensive social and 
health services, with an emphasis on pregnancy prevention. Devoting 
more resources to preventing teen pregnancy will not only save us money 
in the long run but will improve the lives, health, education, economic 
opportunities, and the well-being of these young people and their 
families. Moreover, they will give hope for this Nation and they will 
have an opportunity to make a positive contribution.
  Mr. Speaker, we must be engaged in this effort.

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