When Bristol Palin, the 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, revealed she was pregnant and planning to marry the father, pundits were quick to speculate on the political implications.

But teen pregnancy prevention specialists say there's an important aspect largely missing from the discussion – after a 15-year decline, the teen birth rate is rising.From 2005 to 2006, the birth rate among teens 15 to 19 rose 3 percent nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though 2007 figures won't be available until late this year, experts say the teen birth rate will likely edge up again.

Here is a list of celebrities who had children at a very young age.

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Joan Bennett

Jayne Mansfield

Stella Stevens

Dave Evans

Fantasia Barrino

Loretta Lynn

Marianne Faithfull

Fantasia Barrino