High Risk Behavior Among Adolescent Mothers: The Problem in Context

Abstract

Poverty, illiteracy and school dropout are among the factors that leave adolescents at risk of engaging in unprotected sex and substance use. Adolescent women are especially at risk for sexual exploitation and lack of power in decision making about substance use. Gender‐specific consequences of high risk behaviors are unintended pregnancies, lifelong maternal and child poverty, developmental disabilities and poor school performance. Prevention efforts include community and school‐based programs that provide high yield leisure time activities and services that promote school retention. Social policy changes are also needed to promote quality education and career preparation that interrupts multigenerational patterns of teen pregnancy, child maltreatment and other social ills.

Key Words:

• Adolescent mothers
• high risk
• behaviors