Adoption vs. parenting decisions among pregnant adolescents

Abstract

The choice of adoption is rare among pregnant adolescents. This exploratory study used regression analyses to ascertain which demographic, social, and intervention variables were related to this decision. The adolescents with mothers who favored adoption and/or had few parenting peer models were more likely to choose adoption. Age, knowledge of peers who had chosen adoption, grades in school, level of involvement in a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy program, and participation in individual therapy or Decision-Making Group were not significantly related to the decision. Decision-Making Group is a once-a-week therapy session that focuses on adoption vs. parenting decisions for pregnant adolescents. Eighty-seven percent of the adolescents who participated in these sessions found them helpful. The policy implications for adolescent pregnancy programs are explored.

PIP: The choice of adoption is rare among pregnant adolescents. This exploratory study used regression analyses to ascertain which demographic, social, and intervention variables were related to this decision. The adolescents with mothers who favored adoption and/or had few parenting peer models were more likely to choose adoption. Age, knowledge of peers who had chosen adoption, grades in school, level of involvement in a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy program, and participation in individual therapy or Decision-Making Group were not significantly related to the decision. Decision-Making Group is a once-a-week therapy session that focuses on adoption vs. parenting decisions for pregnant adolescents. 87% of the adolescents who participated in these sessions found them helpful. Although the group per se did not have an impact on the adolescent's choice of adoption vs. parenting, this was probably due to selection bias. The study did indicate that if parents who are in favor of adoption communicate this to their child, she is more likely to choose adoption and avoid being a young parent. The programs should therefore provide family assessments and ongoing family counseling in order to promote a positive communicative relationship between adolescent and parent.