Danish News in Brief: Significantly fewer teen parents in Denmark

Last year saw the lowest number of babies born to teenage moms in a decade

Over the past ten years, the number of teenage mothers in Denmark has fallen considerably, according to new figures from the national statistic keeper Danmarks Statistik.

The figures reveal that 474 children were born to teenage mothers in 2017 –almost half the annual number recorded between 2007 and 2009 and the lowest number in a decade.

“When you’re 15 and become pregnant, there is an association connected to shame and insecurity,” Ninna Thomsen, the head of family and pregnant advocacy association Mødrehjælpen, told DR Nyheder.

“The girls uncover their pregnancies earlier and can get an abortion because they can easily purchase a pregnancy test at any discount supermarket.”

READ MORE: Danish research: ADHD increases the chance of teenage parenthood

Tougher for teens
Thomsen also contended that teens have become more aware of sexuality and prevention thanks to better sex education at schools.

A number of studies have indicated that young mothers are at a higher risk of never getting an education or finding a job.

Moreover, parents usually have a more durable relationship when they reach their 20s, so there is also an increased risk of teen mothers becoming single moms if they aren’t already at the time of birth.


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