• Teen childbearing in the US costs taxpayers (federal, state and local) at least $10.9 billion¹. 
• There were approximately 6.8 million teen births in the United States between 1991 and 2004. The estimated cumulative public cost of teen childbearing during this time period was $161 billion. The recent decline in teen births saved taxpayers $6.7 billion dollars in the year 2004 alone² and four years later the savings had increased to $8.4 billion for the year 2008¹. 
• Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of school, remain unmarried and live in poverty compared to women who delay childbearing until they are 20-21 years old³.
• Daughters of teen mothers are more likely to become teen mothers and sons of teen mothers are more likely to be incarcerated as adults³.
• The cost to taxpayers of teen mothers in Texas in 2008 was $1.2 billion¹. 

Time and time again studies show teen pregnancy has a significant, negative social and economic cost to our society. The majority of the cost is directly related to the health care of the children of the teen moms, as well as child welfare, incarceration and lower taxes paid over their lifetime. The reduction of teen pregnancy doesn't just benefit the federal, state and local economies. It also improves the education, health and social wellbeing of today's students and future students. So even in years when budgets are being cut, the promotion of abstinence education should be seen as a cost saving measure and should not be eliminated. Abstinence education has already saved billions of dollars in local, state and federal taxes, and it will continue to do so as long as it is promoted in homes, schools and youth organizations across our country.

² National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, December 2006 report The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing

³ Hoffman SD. Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press; 2008.

Kids Are Expensive, But Worth It

It's expensive to raise kids these days. I know, I know - you didn't need me to tell you that. But just in case there was any doubt, the US Department of Agriculture just confirmed parents in the middle income bracket making between $57,600 and $99,730 can expect to shell out about $226,920 for food, shelter, and other necessities to raise that sweet bundle of joy through the first 17 years of life. If you make more than $99,730 you can expect to spend $377,040 on that same child. And this doesn't even account for inflation.

As parents of two tweens, my husband and I - both in our early 40's - know firsthand how expensive kids can be. With school just starting, we spent what seemed to be a tremendous sum of money just to get ready for school. Then as most good parents do, I took our kids to the doctor for their regular checkups this summer. While they are relatively healthy one of our children has a rare allergy disorder that affects her esophagus - so once or twice a year we go to the hospital for some special tests to make sure she is doing ok, and thankfully she is. But the tests are always expensive and the treatment is not cheap. And then there's the recent orthodontist visit where I was surprised to find both of our children need braces - now. YIKES!

So yes, it is expensive to raise kids today, but they're worth it and I wouldn't change it for anything. My husband and I, who started out on the parental journey in our late 20's, are fortunate to be able to provide for the needs of our children. It's not always easy, but we work hard and find ways to manage. We strive to live on less than we make, save for emergencies and our future. Most days we are successful at reaching our goals, but some days we struggle - like the day I learned both kids need braces.

As I was sitting in the orthodontist office wondering how we were going to pay for two sets of braces at the same time, I saw a young, pregnant teen with braces walk through the door. It got me thinking. How on earth is she going to be able to provide for her child? Will her boyfriend be there to help her raise the baby? Will he pay child support, and how can he provide for a baby? Will she be able to finish school, or go to college? Will she ever be able to make it to middle class standards or beyond where she will most likely spend about $226,920 over the next 17 years for her baby?

As an adult I find the cost of raising children today to be amazingly expensive, but when I think about the cost of teens having children I realize the cost is too high. Although some of the taxes you and I pay will very likely be used to help raise that baby, it is that baby who ultimately will pay the highest price as she will probably never be afforded the same opportunities in life as a baby born to a family ready and able to provide for that child.

USDA, Expenditures on Children by Families, 2011.

The Pay-Off of Self-Control,

Self-Discipline and Self-Respect

Have you ever read a book that changed your life? There aren't many books I can think of that fall into that category for me, but one of the few that did change my life was a book called The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I read the book, which is a New York Times best seller, about 6 years ago. In short, he teaches how to get out of debt and stay out of debt by following 7 "Baby Steps." The ultimate goal is to live a debt-free life and build wealth. But really the book is about freedom. Freedom from the burdens and fears so many experience when one's finances are out of control.

Once I understood the importance of being debt-free and the freedom it would provide in my life, I set my goal and trudged my way through and paid off all of my debt. It was not always easy, but it certainly was worth the effort when the last debt was paid. As Dave Ramsey's book taught me how to take control of my financial life, we at Aim For Success teach students to take control of their personal life by striving to live a life with self-control, self-respect and self-discipline.

We frequently receive comments from students saying they never understood the importance of choosing abstinence until we shared the problems and concerns many students face when they choose to live a life out of control. We teach students how to set goals and devise a plan to achieve those goals. And just as credit cards and pay day lenders can be an obstacle for those striving for financial peace, Aim For Success teaches students how to avoid some of the obstacles along the way that may side track them also. Obstacles like teen pregnancy or drug and alcohol use can quickly derail any goals they may have set for themselves. If students know the potential obstacles from preventing their success in life, they can make better choices and live a life free from the burdens of pregnancy, STDs, or drug and alcohol problems.

I encourage you to pick up a copy of one of Dave's books or tune into his radio show. And if you haven't already seen an Aim for Success program or read one of our books we'd appreciate it if you did. It might just change your life, or better yet - your child's life.