About Us - The Truth about Milwaukee
Milwaukee leads the nation in some sobering statistics:
- While numbers are decreasing, Milwaukee remains in the top ten cities for teen birth rates.
- In 2006, the most recent data available, of the nation’s 25 most populous counties, Milwaukee has the highest birth rate among African-American teens (CDC vital statistics, 2010).
- The teen pregnancy rate for females between 15-19 years living in Milwaukee’s 10 poorest zip codes is 87.9% as compared with the combined rate of 32.2% for Milwaukee’s middle and upper socioeconomic zip codes (Milwaukee’s Health Report, 2010).
- Milwaukee is the 4th poorest city in the nation (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2010).
There are many other facts and figures that paint a potentially dismal present and future of our youth. This “babies having babies” phenomenon is out of control, and we’re all paying the price. Thankfully, there’s an organization addressing this urgent problem.
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View this video to see how Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services is facing these challenges. (.wmv - 32MB) |
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MILWAUKEE’S TEEN PARENTS?
WHAT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AFFECT OUR TEENS?
WHAT IMPACT DOES A FATHERLESS HOME HAVE ON A CHILD?
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MILWAUKEE’S TEEN PARENTS?
The most recent statistics were taken in 2007
- In Milwaukee, 23% of teen births were to females who were already moms, compared to 17.8% in WI and 19.2% in the US*
- 16.6% of births were to females under 20 years compared to 8.7% in WI and 10.5% in the US*
In general, teen parents are:**
- Less likely to complete high school, which will lead to a lifetime of low incomes or chronic unemployment
- Less likely to move out of poverty
- Less likely to marry the other parent
- More likely to have additional children, often with another partner
Equally importantly, the children of teen parents are:**
- More likely to be runaways
- More likely to be involved in foster care
- More likely to become teen parents themselves
*These statistics are taken from most recent version of the Annie E Casey Kids Count book/website
** The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
WHAT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AFFECT OUR TEENS?
- More than one-third of Wisconsin residents in 2008 diagnosed with Chlamydia and gonorrhea were to teens between 15-19 years (Doherty, 2010).
- 1 in 4 teen girls have an STD, that’s 3 million teen girls (USA Today, 2008)
- In Milwaukee, nearly 1 out of every 2 children lives in a home without a father
- 60% of African-American children in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha live in a home headed by a single mother (US Census data, 2000).
- 32 times more likely to run away
• (www.brandnewdad.com) - 14 times more likely to commit rape
• (www.brandnewdad.com) - 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances
• (www.brandnewdad.com) - 5 times more likely to be poor and 10 times more likely to be extremely poor
• (Nelson, 1995; Halle, Moore, Greene & LeMenestrel, 1998) - Boys are twice as likely as boys in two-parent families to be incarcerated, regardless of variations in background characteristics such as parents' educational level, race/ethnicity, and income
• (Harper & McClanahan, 1998) - Daughters are more likely to become single-parent mothers
• (McClanahan & Booth, 1989)
WHAT IMPACT DOES A FATHERLESS HOME HAVE ON A CHILD?
The impact of fatherless homes is astounding. Statistics show that children of fatherless homes are:
Want to face the challenge with us? Learn more about Rosalie Manor’s Programs and how you can help make a difference in Milwaukee.
Please donate today.
Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services is making real, positive changes. But, we can’t continue dealing with all the serious challenges our teenagers face without your financial assistance.
Your generous support of these efforts is urgently needed and greatly appreciated.
