Recent Survey: Majority of Teen Parents Not Raised in Low-Income, Single-Parent Households

A majority of teens who give birth or father a child are from two-parent households and live above the federal poverty level, according to a recent study conducted by the non-profit research center Child Trends for The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, USA Today reports. While these teens are disproportionately more likely to come from single-parent families than their peers, over half are from two-parent households. 39% live with both of their biological parents, and 19% live with a biological parent and a stepparent. The survey also found that 28% of the teens live in families with incomes below the federal poverty line. Data for the study were compiled from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative survey of students in grades seven through 12 (Jayson, USA Today, 10/27).

The survey helps to dispel some myths regarding teen pregnancy, according to The National Campaign. Two-thirds of adults believe a majority of teens who give birth come from households below the poverty line, and 70% of adults believe a majority of these teens come from single-parent households, the organization said on its blog. The survey “also means that no one is immune from the reality of teen pregnancy,” according to the blog. It adds, “Good kids from good families in good neighborhoods can -- and do -- get pregnant and have babies as teens. It also means that efforts and interventions to prevent teen pregnancy can’t be one size fits all” (Kramer, “Pregnant Pause,” The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 10/27).