Effects on the teenage mother
Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high
school. However, recent studies have found that many
of these mothers had already dropped out of school before becoming pregnant.
The correlation between earlier childbearing and failure to complete high
school reduces career opportunities for many young women. Additional research
found that nearly 50% of all adolescent mothers sought social assistance within the first five years of their child’s
life. Most teenage mothers live in poverty, with nearly half in the bottom fifth of the
income distribution. Other studies state that teenage women who are pregnant or
mothers are seven times more likely to commit suicide than other teenagers.
school. However, recent studies have found that many
of these mothers had already dropped out of school before becoming pregnant.
The correlation between earlier childbearing and failure to complete high
school reduces career opportunities for many young women. Additional research
found that nearly 50% of all adolescent mothers sought social assistance within the first five years of their child’s
life. Most teenage mothers live in poverty, with nearly half in the bottom fifth of the
income distribution. Other studies state that teenage women who are pregnant or
mothers are seven times more likely to commit suicide than other teenagers.
Teenage mothers with other girls with similarly
deprived social-economic profiles, bad school experiences and low educational
aspirations, the difference in their respective life chances was negligible.
deprived social-economic profiles, bad school experiences and low educational
aspirations, the difference in their respective life chances was negligible.
Many teen parents do not have the intellectual
or emotional maturity that is needed to provide for another life. Often, these
pregnancies are hidden for months resulting in a lack of adequate prenatal care
and dangerous outcomes for the babies (Hofferth, Reid and
Mott, 2011).
or emotional maturity that is needed to provide for another life. Often, these
pregnancies are hidden for months resulting in a lack of adequate prenatal care
and dangerous outcomes for the babies (Hofferth, Reid and
Mott, 2011).
Effect on the child
Early motherhood can affect the psychosocial development of the infant. The children of teen mothers are
more likely to be born prematurely with a low birth weight, predisposing them
to many other lifelong conditions. Children of teen mothers are at higher risk
of intellectual, language, and socio-emotional delays. Developmental disabilities and behavioural issues are increased in children born to teen
mothers.
more likely to be born prematurely with a low birth weight, predisposing them
to many other lifelong conditions. Children of teen mothers are at higher risk
of intellectual, language, and socio-emotional delays. Developmental disabilities and behavioural issues are increased in children born to teen
mothers.
Poor academic performance in the children of teenage mothers has also
been noted, with many of them being more likely than average to fail to graduate from secondary school. Daughters born to
adolescent parents are more likely to become teen mothers
themselves (Gibbs, Wendt, Peters and Hogue, 2012).
been noted, with many of them being more likely than average to fail to graduate from secondary school. Daughters born to
adolescent parents are more likely to become teen mothers
themselves (Gibbs, Wendt, Peters and Hogue, 2012).
Effects on other family members
Teen pregnancy and motherhood can influence
younger siblings. One study found that the younger sisters of teen mothers were
less likely to emphasize the importance of education and employment and more likely to accept human sexual behaviour, parenting, and marriage at younger ages; younger brothers, too, were
found to be more tolerant of non-marital and early births, in addition to being more
susceptible to high-risk behaviours. If the younger sisters of teenage parents
babysit the children, they have an increased risk of getting pregnant
themselves. Once an older daughter has a child, parents often become more
accepting as time goes by. The probability of the younger sister having a
teenage pregnancy went from one in five to two in five if the elder sister had
a baby as a teenager (East, 2010).
younger siblings. One study found that the younger sisters of teen mothers were
less likely to emphasize the importance of education and employment and more likely to accept human sexual behaviour, parenting, and marriage at younger ages; younger brothers, too, were
found to be more tolerant of non-marital and early births, in addition to being more
susceptible to high-risk behaviours. If the younger sisters of teenage parents
babysit the children, they have an increased risk of getting pregnant
themselves. Once an older daughter has a child, parents often become more
accepting as time goes by. The probability of the younger sister having a
teenage pregnancy went from one in five to two in five if the elder sister had
a baby as a teenager (East, 2010).
