This is from the Listin Diario, a newspaper in the DR. So sad. Please read though, it gives some insights and supporting stats as to why we do what we do here in the DR. All the more reason for us to ramp up our sports ministries for girls soon too!
"According to a study by Don Bosco
Boys and Girls Center, teenage pregnancy rates are as high as 23% in
five areas of the country. The findings were released at a press
conference by public policy and education specialist Karina Corvalan,
and Candido Encarnacion, coordinator of the Center's social affairs
department.
Eighty-seven pregnant teenagers aged between 12 and 19 were interviewed
for the study, which concluded that they were more likely to become
pregnant when they were from areas of poverty and with a low level of
education. The pregnant girls came from the poorest neighborhoods of
Barahona, Mao, Jarabacoa, La Vega and sectors in Santo Domingo of Cristo
Rey, Maria Auxiliadora, Villa Juana and the 12th kilometer at Haina.
The study showed that 57.6% had had their first sexual relationship
between the ages of 12 and 15, 34.1% between 16 and 19 and 3.5% between
10 and 11.
20% of the partners of the pregnant girls were also teenagers but 80%
were adults, a cause for both alarm and concern, said the researchers.
According to the study 39% of the pregnancies were accidental, and 61%
planned and accepted by both partners.
Corvalan revealed that the teenagers viewed becoming pregnant as a way
of improving their living conditions and getting out of poverty, because
the father of the child would provide for them. For the same reason the
girls' parents also supported them as they considered having the child
as an advance for their daughter."
