-- Nearly 50% of teen girls think it might be possible they'll become
pregnant in the next 5 years.
-- 70% of teen girls say if guys played more of a role in using birth
control, it would help prevent unplanned pregnancy.
-- 67% of teen girls have friends who are or became pregnant as
teenagers.
-- 2 out of 3 teen girls are more worried about STDs than an unplanned
pregnancy.
"Sex and sexuality is confusing when you're a teen," says Seventeen Editor
in Chief Ann Shoket. "It's our mission to give girls the information to
make the smartest decisions so they can protect their bodies and their
dreams for the future."
Neil Cole, Founder, The Candie's Foundation, stated, "It is unacceptable
that approximately 750,000 teenagers will have babies this year in the U.S.
Teens need to know and understand that pregnancy has incredibly devastating
consequences. The Candie's Foundation, with the help of Seventeen Magazine,
will inform America's youth about this epidemic."
The survey also revealed that 70 percent of teen girls say having a plan
for the future would help prevent unplanned pregnancies. Seventeen and The
Candie's Foundation listened and are providing teens with tools to help
them formulate a "Plan A" -- a big plan for their future -- to help
decrease the teen pregnancy numbers.
To drive this point home, Seventeen and The Candie's Foundation are
offering readers a chance to enter the "What's Your Plan A?" contest, which
invites teens to send in videos on what life dream is stopping them from
getting pregnant. The winner will be awarded a trip to New York City,
including airfare, hotel stay and an invitation to The Candie's Foundation
Event to Prevent, an annual star-studded benefit to raise awareness about
the consequences of teenage pregnancy -- plus $1,000 to get their dream off
the ground (courtesy of The Candie's Foundation).
For more information on the "What's Your Plan A?" contest, visit
seventeen.com/psa.
About Seventeen magazine:
Seventeen (www.seventeen.com) is the best-selling monthly teen magazine,
reaching more than 13 million readers every month. In each issue, Seventeen
reports on the latest in fashion, beauty, health and entertainment, as well
as information and advice on the complex real-life issues that young women
face every day. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital
front, with Seventeen mobile. In addition to its U.S. flagship, Seventeen
publishes 15 editions around the world. Seventeen is published by Hearst
Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the
world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions
around the world, including 19 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United
Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National
Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other
publisher of monthly magazines (74.1 million total adults, according to
MRI, spring 07).
About The Candie's Foundation:
The mission of The Candie's Foundation is to educate America's youth about
the devastating consequences of teen pregnancy. Over the past six years,
The Candie's Foundation has spoken to more than 200 million teens through
its powerful public service awareness (PSA) campaign.
Contact Information: Contact: Jessica Pollack Seventeen (212) 649-2619 Maria Dolgetta Iconix Brands (212) 819-2084