Texas ranked 4th in USA, among females aged 15-19, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Sexual behaviors among high school students, grades 9th -12th, in 2011 were high. 52 percent of Texas high school students have had sexual intercourse. 10 percent of males and 4 percent of females have had sexual intercourse for the first time before 13 years of age. 21 percent of males and 13 percent of female high school students have had sexual intercourse with 4 or more persons.

Among the Texas highs school students 62 percent of males and 46 percent of female students used condoms during sexual intercourse. The usage of condoms is a lot higher than the use of birth control. Primarily because condoms are readily available and easier to access. 13 percent of females in Texas high schools used birth control pills before their last sexual encounter.

Adolescences and teenagers are being educated properly in regards to many different aspects, sex education being one. In Texas there are two education programs that are being taught within the Texas school system; Abstinence Only and Abstinence Plus. It is left up to the parents/ guardians to provide the proper education and talk with their kids about safe sex, consequences, etc.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Adolescent Health; in 2011, almost 330,000 babies were born to teen girls between the age of 15 and 19. “Childbearing during adolescence negatively affects the parents, their children and society. Compared with their peers who delay childbearing, teen girls who have babies are:

• Less likely to finish high school
• More likely to rely on public assistance
• More likely to be poor as adults
• More likely to have children who have poorer educational, behavioral, and health outcomes over the course of their lives than do kids born to older parents

We know that teen pregnancy is prevalent within our area, the question is, are we doing the best we can to serve this vulnerable population? At Legacy Adoption Services we are in the beginning stages of forming support groups in various regions throughout the DFW metroplex. We will be targeting the pregnant population. Our hopes are to give these women the extra added support throughout their pregnancy and thereafter to help them reach their dreams despite an unplanned pregnancy.