Friday, January 14 2011 5:30 PM EST2011-01-14 22:30:11 GMT
A Memphis organization is set to launch a plan designed to empower girls and reduce teen pregnancy. The group 'Girls Incorporated' will soon zero-in on the Frayser community, where the teen pregnancy rate has reached shocking proportions.More >>
Thursday, January 13 2011 6:07 PM EST2011-01-13 23:07:12 GMT
Ninety girls at Frayser High School in Memphis are pregnant or have given birth this school year, and one Mid-South organization to believe that a lack of sex education could be partially to blame for the crisis.More >>
Thursday, January 13 2011 7:13 AM EST2011-01-13 12:13:20 GMT
As Memphis City Schools leaders discuss the best way to deal with the crisis at Frayser High School, one young student is dealing with parenthood.More >>
Wednesday, January 12 2011 7:37 AM EST2011-01-12 12:37:33 GMT
Ninety students who attend Frayser High School in Memphis are currently pregnant or have already had a baby this year.More >>
MEMPHIS, TN -
The percentage of teenagers having babies in the United States has fallen to its lowest point in 70 years. It's encouraging news but it won't mean much to people who live in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis.
As Action News 5 has been reporting this week, 90 students attending Frayser High School this school year are either pregnant or have already given birth. To put that number of 90 in perspective, the school has 800 students total.
You'd think a number like that would have the undivided attention of Memphis City School leaders, but that's not been the case. Last fall, the school board had to pass a resolution requiring school administrators to count the number of pregnant students and to actually teach the state's family planning curriculum.
Memphis City Schools is not alone in its lackadaisical approach to the teen pregnancy problem. It's easy to say that this is a family issue that should not have to be addressed at school, but it's also self-evident that's a plan that has not worked and will not work
That's my turn. Now it's your turn. To comment on this segment or anything else, email yourturn@wmctv.com or call 800-465-1210.
WMC-TV 5 V.P. & General Manager Lee Meredith
