Will harsh facts reduce teen pregnancies?

A new campaign to reduce teen pregnancies has begun appearing in the NYC subways.  One poster which features a photo of a baby reads: “I’m twice as likely not to graduate high school because you had me as a teen.”  While another, which addresses teenage dads reads: “Dad, you’ll be paying to support me for the next 20 years.” (Dudman, 2013)

Oddly enough Planned Parenthood has expressed disapproval of the effort stating that they “prefer a judgment-free approach.”  Hmm.  What does telling it like it is have to do with making judgments? 

From what I have read they could have gone a step further, and reminded people that the sons of teen moms are nearly three times as likely to serve a prison sentence. (Maynard, 1996)

So what do you think?  Is the approach too harsh to work?  Or will it open some eyes and be a success?

Dudman, G. (2013, March 13) Bloomberg’s teen pregnancy prevention campaign sparks controversy.  Washington Square News.  p3.

Maynard, R. (1996) Kids Having Kids.  Washington D.C.: Urban Institute Press

Will using Olympic athletes help Coke beat Bloomberg?

You have to give credit to Mayor Bloomberg for bringing attention to the huge amount of calories in large sugared beverages.  While 16 ounces of Coke contains 200 calories, a 32 ounce Big Gulp (with ice) contains approximately 364 calories while the 44 ouncer weighs in with a whopping 512 calories – about ¼ of a full day’s allotment for most people. (Sugar Stacks, 2009)

Coke has decided to fight back by using their Olympics advertising to link Coke to a healthful lifestyle.  (Hall, 2102)

I guess my first question is “How much Coke do those athletes consume daily?”

What do you think?  Will this campaign convince you to keep gulping?

(2009, July 7)  Sugar Stacks.  sugarstacks.com.  Retrieved July 5, 2012, from

http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm

Hall, E. (2012, July 3) Coke Uses Olympics as Link to Healthful Lifestyles.  adage.com.  Retrieved July 5, 2012, from

http://adage.com/article/news/coke-olympics-link-healthful-lifestyles/235747/