While much research concerning teenage pregnancy deals with either causal factors or prevention strategies, more information is needed about issues facing teenagers after giving birth – in particular, the family and social networks, and parenting styles of these teenage mothers.
This presentation will discuss family settings (e.g. household structure, care provider), parenting styles (e.g. parent-child interaction, discipline), and social supports (e.g. neighborhood support and safety, spiritual or religious attendance) in teenage mothers compared to mothers 20 years of age and older.
While teenage pregnancy rates in Minnesota, as well as the Nation, have declined over the past decade, there have been no declines in the city of Minneapolis. In addition, the pregnancy rate for 18-19-year-olds is over 1.5 times higher in Minneapolis compared to Minnesota, and the pregnancy rate for 15-17-year-olds is over 2.5 times higher in Minneapolis compared to Minnesota. Given these high rates of teenage pregnancies, and subsequent births, it is imperative for Minneapolis to address teenage families and parenting styles.
Data for this presentation come from a population-based survey of over 3,000 parents of children under three years of age living in Minneapolis. It provides policy makers and program planners a clearer picture of the child rearing conditions and behaviors of teenage parents.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to 1)describe family settings of infants with teenage parents, 2)recognize parenting style differences between teenage parents compared to older parents, and 3)develop an understanding of social support systems for teenage parents
Keywords: Teen Pregnancy,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.