Boys get pregnant in controversial new ads

A new billboards to show teen pregnancy isn't just a girl's problem.Photo / BeYouBeHealthy.org

A controversial new ad campaign featuring heavily pregnant boys is being used to try and reduce the number of unplanned teen pregnancies.

The Chicago Department of Public Health rolled out the images across buses, trains and billboards in prime teen locations, like local high school areas.

The message directly targets young males, giving a bold reminder that pregnancy is not just a girl's responsibility.

Some of the sobering slogans used on the billboards include: "Unexpected? Most teen pregnancies are".

Chicago's Health Commissioner, Dr Bechara Choucair, told Fox News they wanted to confront the gender roles surrounding teen pregnancy, and the impact it has not only on girls, but also boys, parents, and families of teens.

"We know that less than 50 per cent of teen mums go on to finish high school, and only two per cent will complete a college degree before the age of thirty," Dr Choucair told Fox News.

He also highlighted the significant impact on the community, adding that boys born to teen mums are twice as likely to end up going to jail, while girls are three times more likely to become teen mums themselves.

Other cities to have adopted the campaign include New York City and Milwaukee.

- www.nzherald.co.nz