In an effort to lower its teen pregnancy rate (about one-and-a-half times the national average), Chicago is trying to draw attention through a controversial advertising campaign featuring teen boys apparently pregnant.

The ads are designed to force teen males to consider their own role in teen pregnancy, as well as draw attention to the issue as a whole. One ad says, “It shouldn’t be any less disturbing when it’s a girl.” Another says, “Unexpected? Most teen pregnancies are.”

“We wanted it to be provocative,” says Dr. Bechara Choucair, Chicago’s health commissioners. “We wanted this campaign, those images, to spark conversation; and that’s exactly what we’re getting.” (“Good Morning America“)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.