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Unplanned But Not Unheard

By: Morgan Brantley and Brenda Johnson

OVERVIEW

Teen pregnancy remains a serious issue in Cleveland due to its strong ties to poverty, limited access to healthcare, and lack of comprehensive sex education. It contributes to higher dropout rates, long-term financial hardship, and intergenerational cycles of disadvantage. In 2022, Cuyahoga County reported a teen birth rate of 16.6 per 1,000 girls ages 15–19, surpassing both the state and national averages.

Web, E. (2025, March 18). 2022 teen birth rates in Cuyahoga County. CCBH.

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

Teen pregnancy is a serious issue that brings many struggles for young mothers. Many teen moms face poverty, which makes it hard for them to afford basic needs like food, housing and healthcare. They often have to drop out of school, limiting their chances of getting a job in the future. Without enough support, may feel stressed, alone and overwhelmed. Teen mothers also often face significant challenges in completing their education, which can limit their future opportunities and career prospects.

OBJECTIVES

  • We want to inform teens of the negative repercussions of having unprotected sex.
  • Spread awareness to the lack of resources that teens have in marginalized communities.
  • To focus on how teen pregnancy impacts young mothers emotionally, socially and financially so it can be resolved and overcame

WHAT WE LEARNED

Thank you for your investment in our Youth Leaders: City of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University Sears think[box]; DigitalC; RPM International Inc.; CHN Housing Partners; Ratner Family Foundation; Youth Opportunities Unlimited; Cleveland EMS; The Vanguards of Cleveland & Cleveland Fire; Kimberly Inthavong of Seven Ways To Live; Mary Nazimiec; Kevin Ringer; and Tasty Treasures.

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PROPOSED SOLUTION

  • Learn more about using condoms, birth control and abortions.

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  • Aiding young adults to use precise guidance and insight about unsafe sex and preventing unplanned pregnancy.

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  • Programs that build self-esteem, leadership skills and future planning that gives teens a sense of purpose beyond early parenthood.

SPECIAL THANKS

  • You can have many unknown health issues when you get pregnant at a early age

  • How vital sex education is not just about biology but about emotional readiness, consent and contraception.

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  • Teen pregnancy encourages awareness, responsibility and the importance of making informed life choices. Recent studies show a global decline in pregnancy rates among girls aged 10 to 19 across all income levels.

SOURCES

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/teen-births/teenbirths.htm

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https://www.lonestar.edu/18156.htm

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https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/teen-pregnancy-issues-challenges/#:~:text=Here%20are%20a%20few%20risks,PIH%20(can%20lead%20to%20preeclampsia)

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https://www.healthyneo.org/indicators/index/view?indicatorId=429&localeId=2112&localeFilterId=285563

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