Problem Definition 1

Secondary Data Table

Exercise # 2

Problem Definition 1-Secondary Data Table

Ashley Laye

Tuskegee University

September 21, 2010

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the Births to teens and unmarried mothers and
births with low birth weight by race and Hispanic Origin. The paper will go in detail about
the percent of births to teenage mothers by race. It will also display the percent of births
to unmarried mothers. Lastly, it will show the percent of births with low birth weight. Not
only is the data distinguished by race but also from the year 1990 to 2007.
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[Link] Identification. State the general problem topic (see the data table you selected)
(2 paragraphs min)

The general problem is the percent of teenagers who are becoming mothers. The
numbers for teenagers whom become mothers are fairly high. The percent number
from 1990 decreases and increases by the year 2000. The data shows teenage
mothers by race and Hispanic origin. It also shows the percent of births to unmarried
mothers and births with low birth weight.

The rate for low birth weight is a little under 20%, yet still high. If teenagers were
educated more about the proper ways to eat to have a healthy baby the percent
wouldn’t be high. Table 86 data shows the births that were registered births in the
United States. The tables show the

[Link] Description. Write an expansive paragraph or two that describes the problem topic you
selected. How does the problem affect the survival and propagation of African Americans? (Refer to the
Quantitative Problem-Solving Model) Do you have any ideas about what can be done or what changes
are needed to alleviate the problem? Again, be expansive in your writing. (4 paragraphs min)

The topic that I selected affects the African American community because the
rate is so high. Comparing African Americans to other races African Americans led
across the chart. It shows that young African American women are not being
responsible and are becoming mothers at such a young age. The chart shows by race
and age that African American tops the charts of having children at a young age and
race.

Most African Americans don’t see having children at a young age as a problem.
As a young African American woman I see it as being a huge problem. Being child free
as a young adult gives me an advantage on a better education and more opportunities
to advance in the world. I don’t fit the stereotype that others categorize blacks in.

Young black women who become mothers at such a young age prove the
stereotype that other races have about Blacks. Of the four charts that I have observed
African Americans were either the leaders or right behind the leader. This problem
affects the survival of the African American community because it makes the household
bigger and the cost of living higher. With teen pregnancy most mothers don’t finish high
school nor have a job to support their family. Teen pregnancy increases the number of
African Americans on welfare and receives government assistance.

Updating the way teachers teach sex education is a way that can decrease the
rate of teen pregnancy. Having an individual that the teens are comfortable with and
perhaps even having same sex classes will make the teens open up and talk about the
inquiries they have on sex. Giving children information on the different type of birth
control i.e.; pills, patch, rings and shots.
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Teens being open to their parents about their sex are another way that teen
pregnancy can be decreased. Teens are being unaware of the sexually transmitted
diseases and are producing unhealthy children. If the teens take sex education serious
and know that it is for their benefit then teen pregnancy wouldn’t be as high.

[Link]. Describe the data tables you located with reference to the following quantitative aspects. You must locate at

least one data table for each of the four aspects (i.e. there is a minimum of four data tables.) The data tables must be

in one PDF file, as explained in the APPENDIX. (4 paragraphs min)

In Table 86 “Births to Teen and Unmarried Mothers and Births with low birth weight by
race and Hispanic Origin from 1990 to 2007.” The table explains the percent of births to teenage
mothers, percent of births to unmarried mothers, and the percent of births with low birth weight.
African Americans led the list of race from the year 1990 to 2006. Following by American
Indian, Whites and last Asians.

The table also shows the percent of births to unmarried women. The races are in the same
order except Whites and Asians switch places. African American lead in this category as well it
shows that African American isn’t firm believers of marriage before sex. The chart also shows
the percent of births with low birth weight and African American leads in that as well. The lack
of eating right and prenatal vitamins.

In Table 85 It shows the rate of Births to unmarried women by race, Hispanic Origin, and
age of woman from 1990 to 2006. It goes in depth as far as figures. The age ranges from under
15 to over 40 years old. Surprisingly, African Americans aren’t the leader of total live births.
Whites are the leaders of total live births for unmarried woman. The age group of 20 -24 are the
leaders of births.

In Table 84 it shows the figures for teenagers. The birth and birth rates by age, race, and
Hispanic origin from 1990 to 2007 are explained. Table 84 shows the birth rate and the number
of births by race and age.
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In table 113 explains the infant mortality rate by state. The chart is divided up by states and
shows the percent infant mortality by year ranging from 190- to 2006.

[Link]: How large or severe is the problem? How many people does it affect? What are the costs of the problem

expressed in terms of money, morbidity, or mortality? Data on magnitude are usually Univariate and

sometimes consist of rank order lists. (4 paragraphs min)

The problem is large and very severe, teenage pregnancy is becoming very common. The
numbers show how much of a problem it is. African American teens have led the leaders of
becoming parents young.

In the year of 1990 there were 521,826 numbers of births from the age of 15 to 19 by age
and race. In 2000 there were 469,990. In 2005 414,593 number of births. In 2006 435,436
numbers of births and in 2007 there were 445,045 numbers of births. The numbers increase as
the years go on.

White teens have the higher number if teen pregnancy from 1990 to 2007. Table 91
shows women who have had a child within the last year by age from 1990 to 2008. The chart is
broken down by the age of the mother, who has had a child within the last year. Total birth per
1000 women. The number of women who has had a child in a year. The age 15 to 29 is double of
the age 30 to 44. 2,568 15 to 29 year olds have had a child within the year. 1,346 30 to 44 year
old have had a child within the last year.

[Link]: How widespread is the problem? What percentages of selected populations are affected? (e.g. the

nation, states, regions, etc.) These data are usually expressed as rates or ratios.

The problem is national. The tables show the births reported in the United States.
The teenage population is infected. As of 2006, the birth rate was 50.6%. The District of
Columbia had a high number of births throughout the United States.
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[Link]: How has the problem varied or changed over time?

The problem has changed over time from 1990 to 2006. The numbers decrease and then
increase as the years go on. As the years go on the numbers would decrease and increase in the
2000s.

[Link]: Are there differences in the problem in terms of race, sex, age, SES,
sexual orientation, or disability?

There is a difference in the problem in the term of race, sex and age. African American
teens are generally the leader in teen births and American Indian. White teenagers led in the
teenage births.

Viewing the charts it is usually the African American or whites who are leaders. The
younger the group is the higher the rate is. Most teenagers are more prone to having a child at
such an early age.
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Reference

U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports (NVSR), Births:
Final Data for 2006, Vol. 57, No. 7, January 7, 2009 and earlier reports

U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports (NVSR), Deaths:
Final Data for 2006,
Vol. 57, No. 14, April 17, 2009 and earlier reports.

U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports (NVSR), Births:
Final Data for 2006,
Vol. 57, No. 7, January 7, 2009, and Births: Preliminary Data for 2007, Vol. 57, No. 12, March
18, 2009.

U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports (NVSR), Births:
Final Data for 2006,
Vol. 57, No. 7, January 7, 2009 and Births: Preliminary Data for 2007, Vol. 57, No. 12, March
18, 2009

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports, P20-543RV and unpublished data.