City launches new program to educate teens on teen pregnancy

The city launched a new media campaign Sunday to curb teen pregnancies.

Although teen pregnancy rate in the city deceased 27% over the last 10 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there are 20,000 teen pregnancies annually in the city and many of those parents struggle to pay the bills.

The city's Human Resource Administration's Campaign will put out ads in subways, on buses and online that feature images of babies who ask hypothetical questions about the high costs of raising a child.

"Got a good job? I cost thousands of dollars a year," one ad says.

Since more than 80% of those births are unplanned, the mayor said there was a greater need for earlier education. Studies show that teen moms and dads are more likely not to finish high school or get jobs that can pay for the child.

"By focusing on responsibility and the importance of education, employment, and family in providing children with the emotional and financial support they need, we'll let thousands of young New Yorkers know that waiting to becoming a parent could be the best decision they ever make," Bloomberg said in a statement.

The campaign also includes a page on nyc.gov where viewers can see real teen parents talk about their experiences in peer to peer video diaries.