National Conference of State Legislatures: Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood are closely associated with a host of social and economic issues that affect teen parents, their children and society. Teenage mothers are less likely to finish high school and are more likely to live in poverty, depend on public assistance, and be in poor health than slightly older mothers. Their children are more likely to suffer health and cognitive disadvantages, come in contact with the child welfare and correctional systems, live in poverty, drop out of high school and become teen parents themselves. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) examines teen pregnancy prevention and provides statistics and resources related to teen pregnancy and educational achievement, economic wellbeing, youth in foster care, and federally funded initiatives.