Most Teen Parents Not Raised In Poor, Single-Parent Homes, Survey Finds

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 29 Oct 2009 - 4:00 PST

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Most teens who give birth or father a child are from two-parent households and live above the federal poverty level, according to a new study conducted by not-for-profit research organization Child Trends for the National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, USA Today reports. While these teens are disproportionately more likely to come from single-parent homes than their peers, more than half are from two-parent families. Thirty-nine percent live with both their biological parents, and 19% live with a biological parent and a stepparent. The survey also found that 28% of the teens live in families with incomes below the federal poverty line. Data for the study were compiled from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative survey of students in grades seven through 12 (Jayson, USA Today, 10/27).

The survey helps to dispel some myths about teen pregnancy, according to the National Campaign. Two-thirds of adults believe most teens who give birth come from homes below the poverty line, and 70% of adults believe most of these teens come from single-parent homes, the organization said on its blog. The survey "also means that no one is immune from the reality of teen pregnancy," according to the blog. It adds, "Good kids from good families in good neighborhoods can -- and do -- get pregnant and have babies as teens. It also means that efforts and interventions to prevent teen pregnancy can't be one-size-fits-all" (Kramer, "Pregnant Pause," National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 10/27).

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