By Johanna Neuman
Cathy Lanier grew up in a single-parent home in the working-class suburb of Tuxedo, Md. She got pregnant at age 14, dropped out of high school, and at 15 married the father. By 18 she was divorced and working two jobs -- secretary by day, waitress at night.
Cathy Lanier is now police chief of Washington, one of a handful of women to head large-city departments in the U.S. and one of only a few white officers to lead forces in largely black cities.
But what's drawing notice -- officials say they've received 250 media interview requests -- is that as far as anybody knows, Lanier is the first onetime teenage mom and high school dropout to lead a major city police department.
"I'm really quite surprised by all the attention," Lanier said in a 7 a.m. interview, squeezed in after her 3:30 a.m. exercise regime and before her first command meeting of the day. "It's been a little tough."
Lanier said she had sworn off doing interviews about her personal life. "I don't want to turn into 'The Jerry Springer Show,' " she said. But she agreed to share her story on the chance it could inspire other teenage girls who get derailed from their life's dream.
Almost half of all teenage mothers in the U.S. apply for welfare benefits within five years of their child's birth, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, a nonprofit group. Asked how she avoided doing so, Lanier said she didn't realize at the time that her future could be at risk. She was just a normal kid, she said, too dumb to think about consequences.
Cathy Lanier's rough beginnings have drawn wide notice. She hopes her story will help girls facing similar troubles
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
El Paso, TX
According to a recent study by a Community Scholars group, El Paso has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Texas. One of the main things that can be attributed to the high teen pregnancy rates in Texas is the fact that Texas is an abstinence-only state. School districts are mandated to teach the abstinence-only program first and then it's up to the discretion of each school if they want to pursue other means of sexual education, such as condoms and birth control pills. Statistically three in 10 girls get pregnant by age 18 in Texas, and Texas has the highest rate of repeat births among teen mothers in the U.S.
The Community Scholars researchers found that a common factor among teen pregnancies was the lack of communication between the teenagers and their parents. Teen pregnancy is also such a sensitive subject that it was hard for researchers to retreive the necessary data so they had to go about in other means. There also needs to be a re-examination of sexual education programs in Texas to combat the high teen pregnancy rates.
By Jacqueline Morris
The Community Scholars researchers found that a common factor among teen pregnancies was the lack of communication between the teenagers and their parents. Teen pregnancy is also such a sensitive subject that it was hard for researchers to retreive the necessary data so they had to go about in other means. There also needs to be a re-examination of sexual education programs in Texas to combat the high teen pregnancy rates.
By Jacqueline Morris
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Courage to Finish
By Jacqueline Morris
At sixteen, my mother was pregnant, homeless, and in an abusive relationship. With the odds stacked against her, she found the courage to finish. After high school, she completed an associate's and bachelor's degrees earning a fellowship to graduate school where she completed her doctorate in Sociology. My grandmother was a teen parent who also found the courage to finish. Two years ago she earned a doctorate in Education. Watching my mother and grandmother beat the odds inspired and encouraged me to break the cycle of teen pregnancy. I graduated high school and completed a bachelor’s degree, WITHOUT being a teen parent.
Statistics indicate that parenthood is the leading reason teen girls drop out of high school and less then two percent of teen mothers earn a college degree by age 30. I am now pursuing a master’s degree in psychology and will continue on to earn my doctorate. Our family’s journey from teen pregnancy to three generations of Ph.D.’s is rare especially in the African-American community.
My mother, Dr. Nita Evans, is the Founder of Former Teen Parents of America, an organization whose aim is to close the education achievement gap among school-age parents through a focus on drop-out prevention and the promotion of post-secondary education. My grandmother along with my mother and I, speak to educators, parents, and youth about our story. Serving as "success models,” we demonstrate that life’s toughest setbacks can be transformed into comebacks. We know that education is the key to creating long-term economic stability.
Our story and vision is one of a kind and needs to be seen, to change, educate, and support single-parent students and give them the courage to finish. In contrast to the romanticized view of teen pregnancy promoted by movies such as “Juno”, the public needs to see successful examples of former teen parents so that stigmas and stereotypes can be reduced, and these individuals can serve as ambassadors for teen pregnancy prevention. We are an example of this and our personal story and current activities is inspirational and a call to action.
At sixteen, my mother was pregnant, homeless, and in an abusive relationship. With the odds stacked against her, she found the courage to finish. After high school, she completed an associate's and bachelor's degrees earning a fellowship to graduate school where she completed her doctorate in Sociology. My grandmother was a teen parent who also found the courage to finish. Two years ago she earned a doctorate in Education. Watching my mother and grandmother beat the odds inspired and encouraged me to break the cycle of teen pregnancy. I graduated high school and completed a bachelor’s degree, WITHOUT being a teen parent.
Statistics indicate that parenthood is the leading reason teen girls drop out of high school and less then two percent of teen mothers earn a college degree by age 30. I am now pursuing a master’s degree in psychology and will continue on to earn my doctorate. Our family’s journey from teen pregnancy to three generations of Ph.D.’s is rare especially in the African-American community.
My mother, Dr. Nita Evans, is the Founder of Former Teen Parents of America, an organization whose aim is to close the education achievement gap among school-age parents through a focus on drop-out prevention and the promotion of post-secondary education. My grandmother along with my mother and I, speak to educators, parents, and youth about our story. Serving as "success models,” we demonstrate that life’s toughest setbacks can be transformed into comebacks. We know that education is the key to creating long-term economic stability.
Our story and vision is one of a kind and needs to be seen, to change, educate, and support single-parent students and give them the courage to finish. In contrast to the romanticized view of teen pregnancy promoted by movies such as “Juno”, the public needs to see successful examples of former teen parents so that stigmas and stereotypes can be reduced, and these individuals can serve as ambassadors for teen pregnancy prevention. We are an example of this and our personal story and current activities is inspirational and a call to action.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Forever 21...
by Jacqueline Morris
16 and Pregant? No worries…..Forever 21 has just created a new line of maternity clothes entitled Love 21 Maternity that will be featured in several stores in targeted states. These states include California, Texas, Alaska, Arizona, and Utah, all of which have high teen pregnancy rates. Coincidence? I think not! Forever 21 is trying to market to their target audience and by selling exclusively in these states they have accomplished their goal.
Critics however disagree with the release of a maternity line specifically for teens. Is Forever 21 saying that it’s ok to be a teenager and be pregnant? No I don’t believe so! I think they are adjusting themselves for the situation at hand. More and more teenagers are getting pregnant and this is a niche that nobody else has had the nerve to tap into. Forever 21 was smart for creating this line and as you see when you walk into any Forever 21, the store is not just for teenagers. There are mothers and daughters who shop together at Forever 21. This maternity line will just serve as an alternative to other maternity stores who may not sell small enough sizes, stylish clothes, or at a low enough price. Love 21 Maternity features a complete collection of jeans, leggings, and tops all priced at under $20.
Forever 21 is not the problem. The problem lies much, much deeper and until we decide to face the problem and propose viable solutions, the problem will continue to exist.
16 and Pregant? No worries…..Forever 21 has just created a new line of maternity clothes entitled Love 21 Maternity that will be featured in several stores in targeted states. These states include California, Texas, Alaska, Arizona, and Utah, all of which have high teen pregnancy rates. Coincidence? I think not! Forever 21 is trying to market to their target audience and by selling exclusively in these states they have accomplished their goal.
Critics however disagree with the release of a maternity line specifically for teens. Is Forever 21 saying that it’s ok to be a teenager and be pregnant? No I don’t believe so! I think they are adjusting themselves for the situation at hand. More and more teenagers are getting pregnant and this is a niche that nobody else has had the nerve to tap into. Forever 21 was smart for creating this line and as you see when you walk into any Forever 21, the store is not just for teenagers. There are mothers and daughters who shop together at Forever 21. This maternity line will just serve as an alternative to other maternity stores who may not sell small enough sizes, stylish clothes, or at a low enough price. Love 21 Maternity features a complete collection of jeans, leggings, and tops all priced at under $20.
Forever 21 is not the problem. The problem lies much, much deeper and until we decide to face the problem and propose viable solutions, the problem will continue to exist.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Teen moms more likely to have preterm baby
CORK, Ireland, July 9 (UPI) -- Teen mothers are at higher risk for a preterm birth and a child with low birth weight, especially if it is her second child, researchers in Ireland say.
Ali Khashan of the University College Cork and a team of researchers analyzed data of all 14-to-29-year-old women who had a live baby in the northwest of England from January 2004 to December 2006.
The researchers said 3,636 women were ages 14-17 at the time of birth, 7,506 ages 18-19 and 45,211 ages 20-29.
Khashan says the rates of teen pregnancy increased with increased poverty and more than one-third of the teen mothers came from the most socially deprived areas. In the study, the teen mothers were more likely to be underweight and white.
"It is possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome is related to biological immaturity," Khashan says in a statement.
"It is also possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome in the second teenage pregnancy is related to numerous complicating factors such as greater social deprivation and less prenatal care."
The study is published in the journal Pregnancy and Childbirth.
Ali Khashan of the University College Cork and a team of researchers analyzed data of all 14-to-29-year-old women who had a live baby in the northwest of England from January 2004 to December 2006.
The researchers said 3,636 women were ages 14-17 at the time of birth, 7,506 ages 18-19 and 45,211 ages 20-29.
Khashan says the rates of teen pregnancy increased with increased poverty and more than one-third of the teen mothers came from the most socially deprived areas. In the study, the teen mothers were more likely to be underweight and white.
"It is possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome is related to biological immaturity," Khashan says in a statement.
"It is also possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome in the second teenage pregnancy is related to numerous complicating factors such as greater social deprivation and less prenatal care."
The study is published in the journal Pregnancy and Childbirth.
Friday, July 2, 2010
New Program Aims To Lower Teen Pregnancy Rate Among Hispanics
On Tuesday, a coalition of national and local advocacy groups announced a collaboration to lower the pregnancy rate and facilitate family planning decisions among Hispanic teens. The initiative emphasizes policies that provide support for Hispanic families, promote sexual health information and improve sex education.
The teen pregnancy rate among Hispanics is the highest of any U.S. ethnic group and nearly twice the national average for all teens, according to the National Council of La Raza's Institute for Hispanic Health. Fifty-two percent of Hispanic teens become pregnant before age 20, the institute reports. Hispanic teen pregnancy and birth rates rose between 2005 and 2006, marking the first increase since 1990, according to NCLR.
Maria Rosa, a NCLR vice president, said, "When a Latina teen becomes pregnant, this impacts her chances of graduating high school, having a successful career and improving her socio-economic status" (Costa, San Antonio Express-News, 6/29).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org.
The teen pregnancy rate among Hispanics is the highest of any U.S. ethnic group and nearly twice the national average for all teens, according to the National Council of La Raza's Institute for Hispanic Health. Fifty-two percent of Hispanic teens become pregnant before age 20, the institute reports. Hispanic teen pregnancy and birth rates rose between 2005 and 2006, marking the first increase since 1990, according to NCLR.
Maria Rosa, a NCLR vice president, said, "When a Latina teen becomes pregnant, this impacts her chances of graduating high school, having a successful career and improving her socio-economic status" (Costa, San Antonio Express-News, 6/29).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Teen Pregnancy is reality, not TV
Several months ago, I wrote a Top of the Morning introducing a teen pregnancy support group offered by my hospital.
Little did I know that this article would wind up in the hands of a casting associate with MTV Networks in New York! Last Thursday began as a usual day of work. I step away from my desk, and when I returned I had a message on my machine which began, “Hi, this is Alicia Arnold. I am calling from MTV networking in New York City. We are currently casting for our upcoming season of “16 and Pregnant.”
She went on in her message to tell me she had read my article back in January regarding our teen pregnancy support group, and she wanted to know if we could work together to help get the word out or if I had any ideas or suggestions for the show.
You can imagine my excitement at being contacted by MTV. Here I am, 40 years old, and on the phone calling everyone I know. I’m telling all my friends, coworkers and family that MTV called me and wants to work with me and wants my ideas and suggestions for their show. I go home and I tell my children “Guess who called me?” My son says, “Who?” as he is playing his PSP. I said, “MTV;” he responds, “OK, yeah, right” and never looks up. I’ll prove it, I tell him because I saved the message as my ring tone. They finally believed me!
Over the next few days, as the initial shock wore off and the excitement faded; reality set in as I contemplated what to do about this offer. I record the series, and I watch part of an episode.
At this point, my parenting, nursing, and education skills kick back in. The reality is: teen pregnancy is a reality. It’s not glamorous and it’s not an easy life. Statistics show that Mississippi does have the nation’s highest teen pregnancy rate.
As parents, educators and health care providers, we have a responsibility to address abstinence and prevention of teen pregnancy. But we also have to face the fact that regardless of the education and support offered our teens, teenagers having babies happens. Teen pregnancy is a reality and it’s not a show.
Teens and parents need to know that there is support here for them and that they will make it through this life changing event.
They also must know to never give up on their hopes and dreams. They are still there, and they are still reachable. They have just taken the harder road to reach those dreams.
I encourage all pregnant teenagers ages 19 and under to attend our teen pregnancy support group from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Magnolia room at Natchez Regional Medical Center. To register for the class or for more information, please call me at 601-443-2360.
As exciting as MTV sounds, I graciously declined the offer. My feet are planted firmly on the ground, and my focus is on offering help and support locally, not helping be a part of glamorizing teen pregnancy nationally.
By, Theresa Cole
Theresa Cole, RN, is the nurse educator of The Women’s Center at Natchez Regional Medical Center
Little did I know that this article would wind up in the hands of a casting associate with MTV Networks in New York! Last Thursday began as a usual day of work. I step away from my desk, and when I returned I had a message on my machine which began, “Hi, this is Alicia Arnold. I am calling from MTV networking in New York City. We are currently casting for our upcoming season of “16 and Pregnant.”
She went on in her message to tell me she had read my article back in January regarding our teen pregnancy support group, and she wanted to know if we could work together to help get the word out or if I had any ideas or suggestions for the show.
You can imagine my excitement at being contacted by MTV. Here I am, 40 years old, and on the phone calling everyone I know. I’m telling all my friends, coworkers and family that MTV called me and wants to work with me and wants my ideas and suggestions for their show. I go home and I tell my children “Guess who called me?” My son says, “Who?” as he is playing his PSP. I said, “MTV;” he responds, “OK, yeah, right” and never looks up. I’ll prove it, I tell him because I saved the message as my ring tone. They finally believed me!
Over the next few days, as the initial shock wore off and the excitement faded; reality set in as I contemplated what to do about this offer. I record the series, and I watch part of an episode.
At this point, my parenting, nursing, and education skills kick back in. The reality is: teen pregnancy is a reality. It’s not glamorous and it’s not an easy life. Statistics show that Mississippi does have the nation’s highest teen pregnancy rate.
As parents, educators and health care providers, we have a responsibility to address abstinence and prevention of teen pregnancy. But we also have to face the fact that regardless of the education and support offered our teens, teenagers having babies happens. Teen pregnancy is a reality and it’s not a show.
Teens and parents need to know that there is support here for them and that they will make it through this life changing event.
They also must know to never give up on their hopes and dreams. They are still there, and they are still reachable. They have just taken the harder road to reach those dreams.
I encourage all pregnant teenagers ages 19 and under to attend our teen pregnancy support group from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Magnolia room at Natchez Regional Medical Center. To register for the class or for more information, please call me at 601-443-2360.
As exciting as MTV sounds, I graciously declined the offer. My feet are planted firmly on the ground, and my focus is on offering help and support locally, not helping be a part of glamorizing teen pregnancy nationally.
By, Theresa Cole
Theresa Cole, RN, is the nurse educator of The Women’s Center at Natchez Regional Medical Center
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