How Teenage Pregnancy Affects Development

Children born to a teen mothers are at a higher risk for developmental delays. Poverty, inadequate support from others, greater maternal stress, and lack of education and cognitive maturity all contribute to the likelihood that these children will have a tougher start in life according to the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy. Pregnant teenagers often do not have the resources to guide them through the process of pregnancy and raising a child, but there are supportive services available to help teen mothers adequately provide for a child.

  1. Child's Health

    • Teen mothers are less likely to have adequate prenatal care. Regular doctor's visits can screen for health issues with the mother and the unborn baby. Babies born to teen moms are at a greater risk for being born premature and at a lower birth weight, as a potential result of unhealthy habits during pregnancy. A child born to a mother that spends her pregnancy eating poorly or abusing substances, may be susceptible to poor health throughout life.

    Likelihood of Abuse

    • Being born to a teen mother also increases a child's risk of being exposed to abuse or neglect. These children are more likely to be in a foster care situation. The mother's living arrangement is the greatest indicator of whether the child will experience neglect. Teen mothers who live near or with relatives have fewer instances of child maltreatment according to the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy.

    Issues in School

    • Children of teen mothers frequently struggle with meeting the developmental standards in school. They perform poorly on tests of cognitive ability and are more likely to be held back a grade than their peers. Health issues as a child can lead to problems in affect regulation, meaning that they display more aggressive behavior according to the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy. These factors all contribute to a higher dropout rate for children born to teen moms.

    Options for Help

    • If pregnant teen mothers receive "early, frequent and quality obstetrical care," they are at no increased risk for health or developmental issues for their child according to the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy. Teen mothers can take advantage of nutritional counseling, as well as psychosocial services, by seeking out a social worker connected to the hospital where they give birth. A social worker can help find a new mom supportive services, which provide assistance such as childcare, parenting classes, transportation to work or school, and tutoring according to HealthyChildren.org. Teen mothers who utilize these resources have a better chance at giving their child a brighter future.

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