Family Status of Low-Income Adolescent Mothers

Abstract

In this investigation of young mothers'family status, the hypotheses were keyed to expect racial and age differences. The data used in this study come from a 1978 baseline survey of low-income adolescents who were eligible for the Youth Incentive Entitlement Pilot Program (YIEPP). Using this national stratified random sample, this analysis examined the family structure and support of 3,832 young women, age 15 to 19 years. Two main results emerged: First, the event of becoming a mother during her school years creates for a young woman an abrupt transition to adult status; second, the variation in the status transition and the family supports is influenced by both race and age. White mothers were significantly more likely than are Black young women to choose the pathway of early marriage, while Black mothers continue to receive family support.