UK Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign Called a Failure

UK Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign Called a Failure

Despite an increase in access to contraceptives, the UK's teen pregnancy campaign has been branded a failure.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe:

There are now nearly 50,000 teen pregnancies a year - leaving a £150million Government drive to cut the rate by half in tatters.

Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust, believes a new approach is necessary. He said: "The problems associated with teenage pregnancy will never be solved so long as the Government persists with its reliance on yet more contraception and sex education...What we need is a radical change away from a culture which has reduced sex to a casual recreational activity."
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The huge Government campaign launched 10 years ago has sparked a blaze of adverts and other publicity material. There have also been various changes in contraception rules over the years, making it easier for young girls to protect themselves.

These have included facilities to obtain contraception and the morning-after pill at school without the consent of their parents.

An article in the Telegraph describes why the effort has been called a failure:

Amid a rising teenage population, the conception rate has dropped by only 11 per cent since 1998, in stark contrast to the 50 per cent target. At the same time, the overall number of teenage pregnancies has gone up to more than 47,000 a year. " The Government committed itself in 1999 to halving the teenage pregnancy rate among 16- and 17-year-olds by 2010, compared with 1998 figures.

However, by 2005 - the last year for which full figures are available - the rate fell by only 11.4 per cent. The same figures show that between 1999 and 2005 the overall number of 16- and 17-year-olds becoming pregnant increased from 39,247 to 39,804.

When girls aged between 13 and 15 were added, the total rose from 46,655 to 47,277, more than when Labour launched the strategy in 1999. (emphasis added)

Interesting - it appears that increased access to contraceptives hasn't resulted in a net reduction in teen pregnancy in the UK, despite the promises of its proponents.