Reply to The Promise of Socio-Economically Integrated Schools in DC

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[quote=Anonymous]Teenage pregnancy is a huge issue - however, I seriously doubt access to theaters and restaurants is the issue.   The bigger problem is that the system - and DC in particular - have many policies which incentivize teenage pregnancy by offering benefits.  The easiest way for a girl in DC to not bother having to think about a career or college is to get pregnant.  From their perspective, it puts them on the map and gets income flowing in.  It's certainly by no stretch a lavish or glamorous lifestyle, but for many they feel it beats the trouble of having to find work.  And, in fact, the benefits are greater if the girl is unwed than if she were to marry.

This is what is considered "normal".  But for middle class America it's a whole different story.  Yes, some people delay having kids because they want to first get their college and career started.  But many in the lower end of middle class who don't go to college, or who don't try pursuing a high-powered professional life also delay having kids until they are a bit more situated, because they CAN'T AFFORD KIDS on their own.

"Affording it" never even comes into the minds of many of these teen moms, because the expectation is that the system will take care of you and your kids, so it fosters a culture of irresponsibility and carelessness.  This is not just some arbitrary opinion or speculation on my part, it is reflected in many studies going back to the 1990s, where a majority of studies did reflect a statistically significant correlation between these types of government policies and teen pregnancy rates.

Bottom line is, there is plenty of incentive for teens to have kids, and little disincentive or real consequence - particularly if they have already made the decision to forego school and work life as so many do.[/quote]

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