Relationship between adolescent pregnancy and the achievement of educational and other aspirations

Background: When parenthood does not preclude adolescents' perceptions of future opportunities, they are more likely to be inconsistent contraceptive users and may become pregnant at a higher rate (Stevens-Simon, et al., 1998). Adolescent mothers' educational attainment is predictive for both first and higher-order pregnancies; educational goals are directly related to the likelihood that an adolescent will have a repeat pregnancy (Black, et al., 2006; Kirby, 2002; Meade & Ickovics, 2005).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if a systematic difference exists between the aspirations of parenting and nonparenting adolescents as well as their perceived abilities to meet their goals.

Methods: Quantitative data collected annually since 1998 through the Mobile Youth Survey—a multiple cohort longitudinal study of more than 7,000 adolescents living in impoverished neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama—were used in the analyses. Survey responses related to goals and aspirations of parenting and nonparenting adolescents and adolescents trying to get pregnant were compared using univariate and multivariate procedures.

Results: Using educational goals as a proxy, initial analyses indicate that adolescent parents and adolescents trying to get pregnant are less likely to have long-term goals or to believe that they can meet those goals (p < .000).

Conclusions: These findings indicate that adolescent parents and those who desire to become parents may not perceive becoming a parent as inhibiting their future success. This may serve as an important intervention point for adolescent pregnancy prevention.