Teen Parenthood

Teenage childbearing is linked to negative outcomes among teen mothers, their children, and society as a whole. Compared to older mothers, women who have a child during their teen years are less likely to complete high school or attend postsecondary school, less likely to marry, and more likely to rely on public assistance, especially during their child’s early years. Children of teen mothers are also more likely to have behavior problems and poor educational and health outcomes, compared with children of older mothers. Teenage childbearing has high public costs, due to health care and other public assistance. This entry discusses several shifts in the teen pregnancy field, including an increasing focus on programs that are evidence based; developing interventions for highly marginalized populations; the need ...