The Washington Times, August 18, 2006 433.05 Kb

"Focus should be on plight of D.C. teenagers" by Adrienne T. Washington 

DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy sponsored a successful town-hall debate of the Democratic candidates running for DC Mayor and City Council Chair. DC Campaign and nine partner organizations welcomed the candidates and 100 young people to the Cosmos Club on July 20, 2006. Marc Fisher from The Washington Post and Antar Tichavakunda from the District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council served as moderators.

Young people developed the format and formulated the probing questions about violence, recreation, education, employment, and health. The debate gave young people a sense of belonging and a chance to make the candidates, who are seeking the District's highest elected offices, aware of their concerns and issues.

Debate Partners included:

• ALVAINA Bridge Foundation
• Asian American LEAD
• DC Urban Debate League
• DC Vote
• DC Youth Advisory Council
• Friendship Collegiate Academy
• Life Pieces to Masterpieces
• Metro TeenAIDS
• YMCA DC Youth & Government Program

Teen pregnancy is at the root of many problems we face as a city. Children of teen parents generally fare badly: 70 percent of teen mothers typically do not graduate from high school and child support is a responsibility many teen fathers cannot meet. Research demonstrates that children of adolescent mothers are more than twice as likely to be abused and neglected; more likely to have learning disabilities; more likely to be unprepared for school with vocabulary and attention deficits; about five percent of these children will end up in foster care; and children of teen parents are more likely to become teen parents themselves. Sons born to teen mothers are three times more likely to be involved with the juvenile justice system.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) measures behaviors that put young people at risk for disease, injury and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the YRBS in collaboration with federal, state and private sector partners including state and local departments of education. The YRBS measures behaviors in six areas: