Youth At-Risk: Targeting Teen-Agers for Pregnancy Prevention

• NCJ Number: 120875
• Journal: State Legislative Report Volume: 14 Issue: 10 Dated: (August 1989) Pages: 1-8
• Author(s): S C Biemesderfer; P D Bustos
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ford Foundation
• Corporate Author: National Conference of State Legislators
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Part of the Teenage Pregnancy Project of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Annotation

This State legislative report examines teen pregnancy and parenting from the perspective of youth at-risk, with a focus on preventive interventions designed to address the problems posed by teen pregnancy and parenting.

Abstract

An overview of the problem notes that teen pregnancy is one consequence of at-risk behavior that is of particular concern to legislators, because it often results in dependency on State services. A review of relevant State legislative and program responses focuses on primary risk prevention, i.e., preventing pregnancy in the first place, and secondary risk prevention, which involves preventing teens already pregnant from mismanaging their lives or becoming pregnant again. Primary prevention programs generally fall into two categories: those that impart knowledge or increase awareness of at-risk behaviors and those that help teens to develop their self-esteem and decisionmaking skills. Secondary risk prevention focuses on preventing teen parents from dropping out of school or becoming pregnant again. Programs include job training, child care while at school or in job training, and initiatives to promote the benefits of delaying second pregnancies. Comprehensive programs address facets of both primary and secondary prevention. 13 references.