Why do Georgia teens need “youth development” programs?
Many Georgia counties have high teen pregnancy rates and low high school graduation rates – both have high economic and social costs with negative effects on Georgia’s future. Programs and interventions that include both youth development and reproductive health components reduce teen pregnancy over a long period of time, according to research by Doug Kirby, Ph.D., who has conducted two rigorous national studies of teen pregnancy prevention programs. Community programs that focus on building young people’s strengths have proven effective in increasing adult independence and self-sufficiency through reducing teen pregnancies and subsequent pregnancies, promoting sexual abstinence until marriage and reducing the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases. They are also effective in reducing risky behaviors stemming from violence; dropping out of school; and alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
