Dialogue, education necessaryMore Wyoming teenagers are becoming mothers.From 2000 to 2007, the state's teenage birth rate rose by an alarming 21 percent, according to a report released last week.The Cowboy State bucked the national declining trend, according to the 2010 Kids Count report — the nation's teen birth rate dropped by 10 percent in that same seven-year period while Wyoming's rate rose. The state ranks 37th in the nation for teen birth rates.The worrisome statewide spike in births among young women ages 15 to 19 highlights the need for more attention to the issue.“We are not doing an adequate job of educating our young people about reproductive health and the consequences of poor decision making,” Wyoming Kids Count Director Marc Homer told the Casper Star-Tribune.Clearly, Wyoming is lacking.Whether it starts at home or in the classroom, parents and educators alike need to consider how to best curb Wyoming's rising number of teen pregnancies.Through open dialogue about sex, education and resources, teens could be better equipped to make wiser decisions so they don't become parents before they're ready.The issue isn't receiving much attention in current campaigns. In the weeks leading up to the Aug. 17 primary election, candidates have the opportunity to step forward and address Wyoming's high number of teenage pregnancies and other youth-related issues. Those issues affect Wyoming families as well as the state's overall social and financial health.

Dialogue, education necessary

More Wyoming teenagers are becoming mothers.

From 2000 to 2007, the state's teenage birth rate rose by an alarming 21 percent, according to a report released last week.

The Cowboy State bucked the national declining trend, according to the 2010 Kids Count report — the nation's teen birth rate dropped by 10 percent in that same seven-year period while Wyoming's rate rose. The state ranks 37th in the nation for teen birth rates.

The worrisome statewide spike in births among young women ages 15 to 19 highlights the need for more attention to the issue.

“We are not doing an adequate job of educating our young people about reproductive health and the consequences of poor decision making,” Wyoming Kids Count Director Marc Homer told the Casper Star-Tribune.

Clearly, Wyoming is lacking.

Whether it starts at home or in the classroom, parents and educators alike need to consider how to best curb Wyoming's rising number of teen pregnancies.

Through open dialogue about sex, education and resources, teens could be better equipped to make wiser decisions so they don't become parents before they're ready.

The issue isn't receiving much attention in current campaigns. In the weeks leading up to the Aug. 17 primary election, candidates have the opportunity to step forward and address Wyoming's high number of teenage pregnancies and other youth-related issues.

Those issues affect Wyoming families as well as the state's overall social and financial health.