Teen pregnancy rates fall... due to rise of sexting
THE rise of online relationships and ‘sexting’ is behind a huge fall in teenage pregnancies, it was claimed yesterday.
Scotland once had among the highest numbers in Europe of babies born to young mothers.
But the latest figures show that teenage pregnancy is at its lowest level since reporting began in 1994. Rates in Scotland fell from 34 per 1,000 women in 2014 to 30 per 1,000 in 2018.
Reasons for the fall include sex education and contraception initiatives, as well as an increase in ‘sexting’ as an alternative to real relationships, experts say.
A report by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) charity found that ‘social, romantic and sexual relationships are increasingly experienced online, and sexting is seen as an alternative as well as a precursor to intercourse’.
It added: ‘This generation are rejecting other stereotypical teenage behaviours which have previously been linked to teen sexual activity, in particular binge drinking.’ Katherine O’Brien, BPAS head of policy research, said: ‘Many teenage mothers provide a loving, caring home for their child, and every parent should be supported.
‘We must ensure that in welcoming and examining the decline in unwanted teenage conceptions we do not stigmatise those who make the decision to have a baby at this stage in their lives. This is a generation who are focused on their education, aware of economic challenges but determined to succeed regardless, and many of whom enjoy time with their families as much as with partners and friends.
‘They seem to place significant value on responsibility and maturity, particularly when it comes to alcohol consumption and sex.’
Miss O’Brien added: ‘We believe that young people themselves are making different choices about the way they live their lives.
‘If we can maintain good access to contraceptive services for young people, there’s every reason to hope this profound decline in teen pregnancies is here to stay.’
The gap in teenage pregnancy rates between the most and least deprived areas in Scotland has also decreased, with the rate for those living in the most deprived areas falling from 87.4 per 1,000 women in 2009 to 56.8 in 2018 and the rate for those in the least deprived areas dropping from 21.9 to 12.2 respectively.
Dundee was the teenage pregnancy capital of Europe a decade ago, with around 1 per cent of under-20s getting pregnant.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: ‘It’s encouraging to see a fall in the rates of teenage pregnancy for the 11th successive year, with rates at their lowest level since reporting began in 1994.
‘This reflects the dedicated work of education, health and community services in giving young people more choice, support and advice. I’m particularly pleased that the gap in teenage pregnancy rates between the most and least deprived areas is narrowing too.
‘We are continuing work to implement our Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People strategy, focusing on supporting young people who are vulnerable to pregnancy in key areas including education and attainment, training and employment.’