Teenage Parents and Their Offspring

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has a long history. But teenage pregnancy as a problem—teen partners conceiving, not marrying or marrying under duress, and going on welfare—is new to our societal agenda. Recognition, concern, and help date only from the 1960s. Unfortunately, while much has been accomplished, many myths still persist. The publication of<i>Teenage Parents and Their Offspring</i>is therefore a welcome addition to the literature. Virtually everything scientific that has been said on the subject during the past two decades is gathered in one place. This alone would make<i>Teenage Parents</i>a valuable contribution. In addition, this recent book debunks some lingering myths and corrects several misconceptions. For example, the media-assisted hysteria over "an epidemic" of teen pregnancies is quietly laid to rest. So is the misperception that pregnant teens differ in intelligence, personality, or psychopathology from nonpregnant teens. The value of this gentle iconoclasm cannot be overstated. Despite the sober