The Impact of Early Childbearing on Developmental Outcomes: The Case of Black Adolescent Parenting

• DOI: 10.2307/584561
• Publication Date: 2006-04-26T21:18:59Z
• Authors: Donna L. Franklin
• Keywords: 5. Gender equality; 05 social sciences; 1. No poverty; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; 10. No inequality; 3. Good health

Social science research has often attributed black child development problems especially among poor families to weaknesses in family structure. Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing occur in larger numbers to disadvantaged black youth and account for a significant proportion of the growth of black female-headed households over the last 2 decades. Adolescent parenting is believed to cause special problems for both the young mother and her child. This article reviews studies that evaluate the parenting of adolescent single mothers compared with the parenting of mothers who delay childbearing. A brief historical sketch of the problem of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing is presented. A variety of approaches to family intervention are discussed in light of recent research findings. Finally directions for future research are discussed. (authors)