Reduce teen pregnancy in state with adequate funding

Once again, South Carolina is on the bottom side of 51, ranking 46th out of 51 for child welfare. According to the Kids Count Survey, we rank 48th for children living in single parent families, 47th (infant mortality), 47th (low birth weight babies), 42nd (teen pregnancy birth rate) and we are 40th for the number of children living in poverty.

Statistics show a direct correlation between teen pregnancy, poverty and child health. What the statistics do not tell us is the cost to you, the average citizen. Consider these numbers from the University of South Carolina's Center for Health Services and Policy Research:

The average annual cost to Charleston County taxpayers for teen child-bearing is $10,303,050.

The annual total cost to S.C. taxpayers associated with teen childbearing is approximately $156 million.

Between 1991 and 2004 there have been more than 119,000 teen births in SC, costing taxpayers a total of $2.7 billion.

Forrest Alton, director of the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, explains why: "Teen mothers are less likely to finish high school, more likely to require welfare assistance and ... receive inadequate prenatal care. Children of teen mothers are far more likely to be born with low birth weight, grow up in poverty and fail academically. (They are) also at greater risk of continuing the cycle of teen pregnancy and perpetuating the costs associated with giving birth at a young age."

The costs of teen pregnancy are staggering. Hence, investing in a solution makes sense fiscally and morally. Yet, last month Gov. Sanford vetoed $1.2 million from the state budget to support teen pregnancy prevention efforts. That week, more funds were given to support abstinence-only initiatives in our schools.

Reuters reports that abstinence-only programs nationwide have received $1.3 billion in federal funds since the late 1990s, despite years of inconclusive results. Most research shows that abstinence-only sex education programs make little difference in the sexual behavior of teenagers. Rather, teens who participate in abstinence-only programs are more likely to support abstinence messages, not abstinence behavior. So we are spending millions of taxpayer dollars to teach teenagers slogans.

Slogans can't refute this: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 55 percent of S.C. students initiate sex before they graduate from high school, with 35 percent currently sexually active. Teens are notoriously inconsistent about birth control. Without comprehensive sex education, many are destined for pregnancy, dropping out and poverty.

Someone's not listening. It's time we take an honest look at our values and how we apply them to those who cannot advocate for themselves. Our children are some of the least healthy in the nation, and many of our teen mothers are the least ready to care for them. Let's face it: Some of our "fathers" are the least responsible. Where have all the men gone?

Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina fosters the development of healthy babies and strong, competent parents. Now 111 years old, Florence Crittenden is the only residential prenatal center in the state. In the past year, over 90 percent of the young women who came through our doors have delivered healthy babies of 5.5 pounds or more. We ensure that they continue their education, get their G.E.D., or enroll in job training. One hundred percent of our Family Development children have primary care doctors, and 100 percent of our clients have enrolled in school or found jobs.

Nevertheless, programs like ours continue to shrink due to ever-tightening public budgets. Where at one time there were 76 Crittentons around the country, now there are only 25. Each year more close, and today South Carolina's Crittenton is on the fence. We — and our children — are an endangered species. Rather than put our tax dollars toward changing destructive cycles, we throw it at slogans and feel-good programs that don't even work. Who's made the "pact" here?

Money is a reflection of values, and where we put our money is a statement of what we value most. How much do we really value the health of our children? How we decide to resolve this crisis will illuminate our character. If we love and care for our young, we will invest in their health: We'll take them to the doctor when they are sick, and teach them how to stay well. We'll equip them with the tools to become powerful men and women, and strong parents. We'll put women and children first. First, not 46th.

Greg Liotta, M.S.W., is executive director of the Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina.