While teen birth rates are declining steadily throughout the nation, Wyoming is moving in the exact opposite direction. More and more teenage girls are giving birth and becoming mothers now than in years past. According to the 2010 study by Kids Count, the national teen birth rate (of girls aged 15 to 19) is 43 births for every 1,000 teenage girls (4.3 percent). The Wyoming average rings in at 51 percent, which ranks Wyoming 13th out of the 50 states for highest teen birth rates.

In other words, 51 percent of every 1,000 teenage girls in Wyoming become mothers, or 510 new teen moms per 1,000 girls. That’s a lot of screaming babies and too-young mothers coping with the added stress and responsibility. Clearly, this is a national issue that must be addressed, but it starts here in Wyoming, too.

Teenagers are intrigued and active when it comes to sex. That’s a given. But these statistics beg the question: What is the root of this problem?

Is sex education lacking in school and/or in the home? Is there a shortage of pregnancy prevention resources? Is it limited funding? Is it a result of boredom? Maybe it is due to self-expression and the rebellious nature of teens in general. And what effects does becoming a teen parent have on teens? Depression is more than likely an outcome, which ventures in dangerous territory. Whatever the reason and potential consequences, it’s time to start working toward understanding the underlying reason why so may teens are having babies. Only then can we try to solve the problem.

Not coincidentally, MTV’s Teen Mom has become a popular show, despite its stark contrast to other MTV reality shows, such as The Hills and Jersey Shore. The TV show provides a tell-all look at the harsh realities of being a teenage mother by following several couples dealing with all of the drama that comes with that responsibility. With all the media coverage surrounding Jamie Lynn Spears, Bristol Palin and the supposed pregnancy pact in 2008, teenage motherhood is front and center of pop culture conversations. But is anything productive being said? And if it is, why aren’t teens listening?

What do you think about this issue? What do you think is causing this high percentage of teen births in Wyoming?

What can we do to reverse this rising statistic? What is YOUR solution?