Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kristal Wortham
Emerging research suggests that the quality of social support available to adolescent
parents significantly contributes to the capacity to develop social competency and
parenting skills. Although there are multiple factors that influence the positive
outcomes for adolescent parents and their children, evolving research has begun to
focus on fundamental connections that exist when adolescents and their children receive
therapeutic support. Communities implemented different models to convey social
support. Yet each was remarkable in its provision of complimentary support that
yielded greater chances for positive outcomes.
Previously, the scope of research on adolescent parenting was limited to addressing the
negative outcomes and consequences. That research failed to recognize the valuable
sources that enhance outcomes for adolescent parents. Service providers who conduct
meaningful programs with respect and sensitivity for the participants improved
perceptions and outcomes. There were variables to clarify the fit between the
provisions of the program, types of support available and the adolescents’ desire to seek
support. Adolescent developed is inherently marked by psychosocial issues essential to
social survival such as identity and feelings of self-worth. Becoming a parent during
adolescence likely has an adverse impact on the successful establishment of social
competence. More importantly, adolescent parenting presents an added level of conflict
that compromises development. Thus creating a deficit due to the premature
advancement into a stage typically relegated for adulthood. The premature adjustment
to adulthood does not permit the gradual acquisition and development of judgment,
nurturance, and guidance that help them to shape their identity. However, when
adolescents have access to programs that foster social survival skills for emotional
support, proper bonding/child-interaction, age-appropriate stimulation and managing
stress, adolescents experience increased competence for parenting, self-confidence,
offspring development, academic engagement and subsequent pregnancy prevention.
Although each adolescent inherently possess different characteristics, social support that
foster processes for adapting to their needs in a given environment further enable adolescents to
develop more productive responses. These responses improve their ability to adjust to daily
demands in childcare, school work, and time management. The research suggests consistent
findings that social support is an integral component in the capacity for managing the complex
and challenging factors of adolescence and parenting.
adolescent parent. This contribution is pertinent to the development of adolescent identity which
was likely disrupted during or after pregnancy. When adolescents have positive self-perception,
they are more likely to 1) continue and complete their education; and 2) refrain from subsequent
pregnancy too soon. These factors may also suggest protection from frustrations hampered by
failed academic achievement. Impaired cognitive development could underscore peer
advancement and/or acceptance. It could also lead to delayed social skills such as problem
solving. Thus adversely impacting their self-worth. Behavioral problems are often associated
with reduced self-worth. When adolescents and/or their children are vulnerable to multiple risks,
their capacity for social adjustment is compromised. Individually and collectively, these factors
significantly increase their capacity for employment success, as well as overall life prospects,
resilience and enrichment.
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References
Bunting, L. & McAuley, C. (2004). Research Review: Teenage pregnancy and motherhood: the
contribution of support. Child and Family Social Work, 9, 207-215.
This paper emphasizes the tremendous benefit of social support for adolescent parents.
The role of social support from families, peers and partners is underscored by the reliable
provision of housing, financial and child-care assistance that affords adolescent parents the
opportunity to complete education and obtain employment. Although family structures may vary,
they consistently impact the capacity for the level of development success for adolescent parents
and their children. Most importantly, social support fulfilled the function of material aid, advice,
positive feedback, physical assistance, social participation, and discussion of private feelings.
Each of these areas of support were vital in the framework of cognitive and emotional
development of the participants. These social supports were crucial to the development of
psychosocial processes for helping adolescent parents adapt to the complex environment of
parenting while cultivating their own growth and development.
Hanna, B. (2001). Negotiating motherhood: the struggles of teenage mothers. Blackwell Science
Ltd, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 34(4), 456-464.
This study consisted of five teenage women who were interviewed five to six times over
the course of twelve months. This study focused on how adolescent parenting impacted the
capacity for constructing their own identities and fostering a relationship with their offspring. It
had been asserted that adolescents lack the capacity to set aside their own needs to focus on the
needs of a child. However, the study found that motherhood transformed their level of
expectations and competency. The participants felt compelled to modify their ideologies to
consider how they would meet their own needs as well as those of their offspring. Further, some
of the participants had been initially abandoned by family. However, were reunited shortly after
childbirth. This disruption in support subjected the adolescents to 1) seek support from health
professionals and 2) rely upon government entitlements for survival. These participants did not
have formal or consistent social support to model nurturance, guidance, or encouragement
Meaningful Support 5
essential their own development. Or that of their offspring. The lack of social support denied
the participants of opportunities to make realistic expectations and plans for sound development
and growth. The study concluded that when adolescent parents are denied access to meaningful
support, services and/or referrals, marked disadvantages emerge that critically impair
scaffolding, growth and development.
Turner, R.J., Grindstaff, C. F. & Phillips, N. (1990). Social support and outcome in teenage
pregnancy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 31 (March): 43-57.
Sadler, L. , et al. (2007). Promising outcomes in teen mothers enrolled in a school-based parent
support program and child care center. Journal of School Health, Vol. 77 (March 2007)
(3).
participating in a school-based support group, the clarity of the findings and variables in this
study provide promising patterns for service delivery.
Dubow, E.F. & Luster, T. (1990). Adjustment of children born to teenage mothers: the
contribution of risk and protective factors. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52
(May): 393-404.
There is a direct correlation between the quality of life for adolescent mothers and their
children. Exposure to risk significantly influences the capacity for adjustment. And
subsequently impacts the quality of life. A subset of 721 children and their mothers was used to
examine risk factors and the assertion of vulnerability to difficulties. This study identified
development, socioeconomic conditions, maternal education, fatherly presence or absence and
residential environment to cognitive and behavioral outcomes. If several of these factors create a
stressful environment for children and their mothers, there is an increased risk for adverse
cognitive and behavioral outcomes. However, if certain protective factors exist such as high
level of intellect as well as cognitive and emotional development may help adolescent parents
formulate the capacity for problem-solving. These skills may help to manage the risks
associated with adolescent parenting. Thus expanding the capacity for managing stressful events
and ultimately achieving social success. Achieving social success remains vitally important to
the development of adolescent identity. The findings suggest that children whose mothers were
demonstrated high levels of cognitive intellect may experience less academic frustration. And
are thus more resilient.