A comprehensive review of the programs and resources schools have to assist pregnant and parenting adolescents

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is the greatest single cause of dropping out of school for young women. The purpose of this study was two fold. First, to gain a comprehensive body of knowledge of the resources and programs schools have to handle school age pregnancies, and the sharing of that information with other professional in the schools. Second, to develop a comprehensive body of knowledge to assist schools in providing pregnant and parenting adolescents with an array of support services that can mitigate some of the outcomes of too early childbearing. Adolescent parenthood is one of the host problems that arise from the great depths of poverty and there is a wealth of research into the causes and consequences of too early childbearing. There is a tremendous lack of research regarding the programs and resources schools have to assist pregnant and parenting adolescents. The younger the pregnant adolescent is the more likely it is that she will not finish school. Every pregnancy increases the likelihood that she will drop out of school and limit her involvement in the work force. This study examined and identified the impact schools have on pregnant and parenting adolescents and what family planning programs and resources schools have to handle school age pregnancies through a review of literature and a determination of results from the literature. The information found in this study was generalized to other communities and school districts, and social services. The data was used to evaluate the resources offered to parenting and pregnant adolescents, and recommendations were made. The final section in this paper is a personal journey through the experiences of someone who has shared in the trials and tribulations of single parenting at a young age. It is important to examine real experiences and gain valuable insight in a paper of this caliber.