Teenage Pregnancy: Etiology and Educational Interventions

This paper identifies the social, psychological, biological, and cognitive variables associated with teenage pregnancy. The impact of bearing children on adolescent mothers, their children, and society is also explored. The different educational interventions already in use to reduce and/or prevent teenage pregnancy are examined and found to be generally ineffective. However, two effective programs were identified. One, with a research component, demonstrated significant reduction in teenage pregnancy. Further changes in these programs are suggested to achieve increased effectiveness.