How much does it really cost to have a baby?

Preventing Unplanned and Teen Pregnancy: Why It Matters

"Teen pregnancy is closely linked to a host of other critical social issues � poverty and income, overall child well-being, out-of-wedlock births, responsible fatherhood, health issues, education, child welfare, and other risky behavior. There are also substantial public costs associated with adolescent childbearing. Consequently, teen pregnancy should be viewed not only as a reproductive health issue, but as one that works to improve all of these measures. Simply put, if more children in this country were born to parents who are ready and able to care for them, we would see a significant reduction in a host of social problems afflicting children in the United States, from school failure and crime to child abuse and neglect."                                                                                                                                              This quote is from the website: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/why-it-matters/default.aspx

As a teacher of health and physical education at the high school level, I am continually disturbed by the number of girls each year who become pregnant. These young people do not comprehend the true responsibilities that comes with being a parent. I have found that the one thing that they do understand is money. I am hoping that by providing students with this webquest, and "showing them the money" it will help them make smarter choices about sex.