Teen pregnancies cost Utahns more than $86 million

Teen childbearing in Utah cost taxpayers more than $86 million in 2008, according to an analysis from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Of those costs, 43 percent were federal costs, and the remaining 57 percent came from state and local sources.

Research indicates that bearing a child during adolescence is associated with long-term difficulties for the mother, her child and society. The largest portion of the costs is estimated to be about $32 million — lost tax revenue from potential earnings of teen mothers and their partners, as they often end up caring for their children instead of pursuing education or careers. Another $26.9 million is expected to be lost due to children of teen mothers often ending up taking the same route as their parents, according to the study. Other costs come from $9.7 million spent on public health care and $15.1 million on child welfare and participation in social services. Another chunk, more than $16 million, is made up of increased potential for children of unmarried mothers to end up in jail. Deseret News

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