Teen Pregnancy On The Rise In New Mexico

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Veronique Masterson

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The nation’s economic turmoil has many putting plans to expand their families on hold. But despite the recession, teen pregnancy is on the rise in New Mexico.

One young mother shared her story with ABC-7.

Twenty-one-year-old Ruth Garcia said it’s hard to care for children during the difficult economic times.

She said it’s hard to find a job, but she’s grateful for programs like Medicare and clinics like the Ben Archer Health Center, which helps provide care for six-month-old Luis, whose birth was not planned.

Her situation is not uncommon in Dona Ana County.

Earl Nissen with the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Work Group said the only way to break the cycle of young unplanned pregnancies is through education.

“There is no magic bullet. The more we educate kids on this, it will help detour some of them from being too sexually active.”

He hopes young adults will realize all the responsibilities that will go along with being a parent.

Garcia agreed. “No, he wasn’t planned but I love being a mother,” she said in Spanish.

As for teen pregnancies, Nissen said 92 percent of all teen pregnancies in Dona Ana County were delivered under Medicaid.