We hear so much about teen pregnancy that it may surprise you to know that the majority of "surprise" pregnancies happen to women in their 20s; at least 4 out of 10 have some or all of a college education, and many are
working in a job or career. By their age alone, you would assume that they all would presumably be somewhat knowledgeable about birth control and sex.
Self magazine has an in-depth story about what's happening in this demographic these days. From the story:
"For starters, we found that single women are much less savvy about birth control than they think. Nearly half of survey respondents said they don't seek out information on preventing pregnancy because they know enough already. Yet when the National Campaign tested the same group on their knowledge, women scored 6 out of 11 on average and men a dismal 4.7. Why no urgent need to be informed? Researchers found that women are often passive or ambivalent about getting pregnant, with more than one in four saying, "If it happens, it happens" or "It would be no big deal." Says Sarah Brown, chief executive officer of the National Campaign, "We have a large number of single young adults who say they are not actively seeking pregnancy, but their actions don't match their words. They're not really trying, but they're not really not trying."
http://www.self.com/health/2009/03/single-pregnant-and-panicked?currentP...
Here's the quiz on pregnancy and birth control that both sexes failed:
http://www.self.com/magazine/quizzes/birth_control_quiz/birth_control
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That's interesting because I'd thought that "surprise" pregnancies were most often in the near-menopause age group (40's). I wonder what the stats are for this group.
February 27, 2009 - 1:21pmThis Comment
I scored 9 out of 11 correctly - I forgot that the emergency pill is now available sans prescription and my IUD knowledge is a bit lacking.
I was absolutely paranoid about pregnancy in my 20s. The women in my family get pregnant on a mere whim and I was afraid I'd be the same way so I used at least one form of very effective b.c. and usually two.
Turns out I do get pregnant extremely easily so I was not being paranoid after all!
Kristin I am also wondering about the near 40s and over 40s group too. I think I'll have to look into that, I'm sure there are many "surprise" babies within that age group too...
February 27, 2009 - 1:41pmWell, I scored 9 out of 11 too here are the ones I got wrong...
1. Among couples who have sex regularly, what percent will get pregnant within one year if they use no birth control at all?
7. True or false: An IUD (intrauterine device) can only be used by women who have already given birth.
Women in their 20’s saying "It would be no big deal" In this economy… I’m 25 and even if the economy wasn’t in the state that it’s in right now I couldn’t see myself having children, But wait I do have children .Here are the names Car Payment, Rent and College loan… LOL…
I guess it’s “No Big deal” as long as I Don’t have to pay for them.
February 27, 2009 - 8:08pmFun quiz....I'm happy to say that I got 100% correct..yeah!
I'm surprised that the researchers found so many women to be passive or ambivalent to getting pregnant in their 20s. That does not match my experience with myself or friends, as we spent so many years (and money!) obtaining our graduate degrees, that our focus and hearts were into finding careers that we love. It would have been devastating for many of us to have an unwanted pregnancy during those years; most of my mom friends now are in their mid-to-late 30s with their first child, and are very settled in their life...they've had a career for 10 years, got all the "partying" out of their systems, now they can enjoy their motherhood years without wonder or doubt. Just my experience!
March 1, 2009 - 5:15pmAlison
My experience is the same as yours. None of my friends, neither American or European had kids in their 20s. Everyone has been in their mid to late 30s before starting families.
Someone asked me once if I had always planned being an "older" mother or did it just turn out that way and I had to laugh! Since I didn't really know any "younger" mothers, it didn't occur to me that I was making some kind of statement!
I'm just one of those people who needed to be a first time mother in her 30s. Some really young moms do such a great job but I wanted my degree and tons of travel and work experience before I had kids because having kids is seriously the most life-changing thing a person does and they become your focal point. I wanted ME to be my focal point first - until I was ready and mature enough to not mind putting myself on the back burner for a few years - which is realistically what happens during those first few years.
March 2, 2009 - 12:23pm