The factors contributing to rates of teenage pregnancy in the United States are many and complex. Some commentators argue that teen pregnancy is the result of a general breakdown in American society, while others contend that sexually explicit television shows and movies encourage teens to engage in sexual behavior that increases risk of teen pregnancy. Many argue that governmental programs aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy—such as condom distribution programs—actually encourage teens to have sex and increase the rates of teen pregnancy. Efforts to lower teen pregnancy rates are made even more difficult by the fact that these multiple factors tend to influence each other.

Poverty is a strong indicator for higher risk of teen pregnancy, for example, but lack of money alone does not encourage teen pregnancy; teenagers living in poverty are subject to many other influences...