Planning a program for pregnant teens in schools: An overview

Adams, Adams-Taylor, and Pittman (1989) estimated through research, one million teen girls (13-19 years of age) became pregnant each year and one-half of these girls gave birth. Until the 1960s, the society approved solution for pregnant teens was full term pregnancy and adoption outside the family with the exception of some teens keeping their babies in some cultures and ethnicities where it was permitted to do so. The pregnant teen was not permitted to attend public schools when it was obvious she was pregnant and was sent to public and private agencies by caring families (Vincent, 1961). In the last 30 years, teen pregnancy and parenthood have been viewed as more positive in American society. Social stigmas of prior decades on unwed mothers have diminished. Because this population of pregnant teens is school aged and the schools are required by law to educate them, well meaning school officials have planned programs and programs have failed for this unique group.