Fewer teenage pregnancies

Olivia Wannan at Stuff reports:

Once blamed for glamorising children having babies, teen pregnancy reality shows are now credited with a drop in New Zealand’s teenage pregnancy rates.

A new report from the Abortion Supervisory Committee suggested shows like 16 and Pregnant might deter unwanted pregnancies by depicting the struggle young people faced when raising children.

The show, and other spin-offs, chronicle the struggles girls face when they become pregnant while still in high school.

Never seen it, but yeah I imagine being confronted with the reality would be offputting.

Last year 4247 teenagers gave birth – down 387 from 2010, Statistics New Zealand figures show.

Teenage abortion rates fell as well, down 17 per cent from 2010.

That’s excellent to have both rates falling.