Socioeconomic Well-Being in Early Adulthood Among Repeat Versus One-Time Teenage Mothers

Abstract

Teenage mothers are known to be at an elevated risk for poor socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood. However, little is known about the socioeconomic outcomes of mothers who bear multiple children during the teenage years (repeat teenage mothers) compared to one-time teenage mothers. This study examines socioeconomic outcomes in the mid- to late-20s of repeat teenage mothers compared to one-time teenage mothers in a national U.S. sample. Repeat teenage mothers were less likely to graduate high school and more likely to receive public assistance and experience material hardship than one-time teenage mothers in their mid- to late-20s. Lower educational attainment, plus the responsibility of caring for multiple children as a young mother, may make it difficult for repeat teenage mothers to secure economic stability. Additional supports may be necessary to improve long-term socioeconomic outcomes of repeat teenage mothers.

Keywords

teenage motherhood pregnancy socioeconomic status/social class

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