Adolescents: Pregnancy
Adolescents: Pregnancy
- Kathleen A. RoundsKathleen A. RoundsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- , and Traci L. WikeTraci L. WikeAssistant Professor, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
Although rates of adolescent pregnancy have exhibited a downward trend since 1991, the United States continues to have a significantly higher rate than other industrialized nations. Adolescent pregnancy, especially in early and middle adolescence, has long-term developmental and economic impact on the teen and her child, in addition to high social costs. This entry describes the current trends in adolescent pregnancy in the United States, and examines factors reported in the research literature as associated with adolescent pregnancy, discusses federal policy directed toward adolescent pregnancy prevention, and identifies various intervention programs.
Subjects
- Children and Adolescents
- Couples and Families
- Health Care and Illness