Shock Teen Pregnancy Video In UK Sparks Controversy (VIDEO)

An extremely explicit YouTube video meant to scare teenage girls out of ever getting pregnant has become somewhat of a web sensation after it was initially removed, only to later be reinstated. The video depicts (graphically) a teenage actress on a school yard, surrounded by a loud mob of other students fighting to catch a glimpse as she apparently gives birth. The video was posted by the Leicester NHS Trust. According to The Canadian Press:

There are about 50 conceptions per 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 17 in Leicester City, eight more than the country's average, according to statistics provided by Leicester City public health officials.

Overall, Britain's teen-pregnancy rates are among the highest in Europe and one recent report indicated that they are on the rise, specifically in England and Wales.

Watch (WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES):

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Comments

[Artfullyaware]

A few years ago in Germany a teenage girl gave birth in the ladies' toilet at a theme park. She said she didn't know she was pregnant. Her sister (also the teen mother of a baby) didn't spot it either. Her father (sole carer - if you want to distinguish him with that title) said that he didn't notice either of the girls had been pregnant because he "couldn't be bothered about that female stuff".

Anything is possible...

[RationalDubSteppa]

It seems terribly coincidental that as these teen pregnancy rates rise, there is also a noted rise in religiosity in the UK ( Richard Dawkins has lectured about this several times). Yet countries in Europe who have a less amount of "believers" have lower teen birth rates.

[deluk]

A 'noted rise in religiosity', how does a churchgoing rate of 2% equate to a 'noted rise in religiosity' perhaps it's accounted for by our Filipino, Polish (Catholic) moslem and African (Protestant) immigrants. British teenagers on the whole could not care less about religon but they DO like to drink too much and imbibe whatever proscribed substances are trendy.That may have something to do with it....oh and then there's the welfare state of course, if you don't have to pay for healthcare or accomodation... Hey! why not have a baby.

I would say that a noted rise in Spirituality is perthaps more appropriate.

[Marktman]

Just call the Dad to come over and hold her hand while she pushes. A little privacy please for the parents to be. Oh yeah, no one is mentioning the Dad he is most likely out banging another girl he's put pressure on to have sex with, or be continually harrased until she does.

[whoknew---]

Actually it scared me and my two kids are grown....

(no more babies for me, geesh)

Seriously though I do believe you can make the argument that childbirth hurts and you better be prepared if you engage in unprotected sex in a more traditional setting like say a hospital?

[whoknew---]

(posted an earlier correction on previous comment but I don't see it so here again)

Clarify childbirth in a more traditional like say a hospital, not unprotected sex in a more traditional setting like say a hospital.

(I believe the video has affected a bit more than I would like to admit because I sure did a brain flop)

LOL

[johnr49]

Showing this video in an attempt to discourage teenage pregnancy makes a lot more sense that Bristol Palin promoting abstinence, while gazing lovingly at her little "blessing from God".

[LitDr2B]

And the picture on the cover of People (or whatever publication it was ) with Bristol (in graduate attire) holding the baby.

This is -not- the reality for most teen mothers.

[romchr]

All they need to do is screen the film KIDS to dissuade girls from impromptu recklessness.

[AmberGaze]

You're right, Romchr.

[Beegood]

Why would this be a good idea? Won't the teens it targets just laugh? It reminds me of the old anti-drugs comercial with the egg in the frying pan "this is your brain on drugs" - all my fellow teens that experimented with drugs though it was hysterical. I am sure some sober adult thought it would make kids think...
So, we should know by know that over-the-top fear-mongering has the opposite than desired effect on teens, they are smarter than this video gives them credit for.

[probo]

One difference, giving birth is painful, and bloody, that part is very true, but come on , if this reaches some kid who isn't recieving sex education, then it has done some good. maybe they will start to get answers to their questions. But the drug thing was pretty lame because it did lie.

[mathme]

I had a "This is your brain... This is your brain on drugs.... This is your brain on drugs with a side order of bacon" poster.

[Freenation]

is there anything called privacy left in the world?

[theubermensch]

Was this necessary? Maybe if we gave proper education and helped young parents to get ahead instead of demonizing them, they would get ahead. Stop treating kids as a burden on society.

[CitizenKane16]

12 through 17 year olds who become pregnant and have children ARE a burden on society. Who is to pay for the little one's care? Food? Diapers? This is the reality for so many girls, still children themselves who then either need to leave school to care for their child or put the burden on already stressed grandparents (truthfully, usually grandmothers). These children need to be educated, I agree. But there are some who get the education but still choose to believe in a fairytale world of "I'll have the baby and the baby will love me when no one else does". Some of these kids need to be scared straight before making a life-changing decision such as this.

[kali47]

Why is giving birth shocking?
Also-how does sensationalizing teen pregnancy, plus glorifiying newborns lead to a decrease in teen pregnancy?
Kali

[needlefingers]

It does get the message across.

I'm all for providing teens with all the information including birth control.

And also including abstinence.

[jazzybo]

Very sobering!

[Joan Fahlgren]

How stupid! Having a baby in a soccer field surrounded by screaming teenagers is NOT how the real world works.

[surlyguvna]

It is if you're a high school student who can't make it to hospital!

[Epiphany2b]

You might say having a baby in the back seat of a taxi cab isn't either, but it does happen. ANYTHING can happen in the real world, whether it happens often or not.

[EuroRant1]

I once helped a woman deliver at the front door entry to a major mall in Southern California (Fashion Island, Newport Beach) in the midst of a throng of Christmas shoppers.

You really ought to get out more dear.

[davidwayneosedach]

Not surprising for You Tube.

[mathme]

Yes! Why does You Tube make these horrible videos?! Someone should stop this You Tube person, whoever he is!

[green108]

Bristol, is that you?