Young Parents

Abstract

Young parents face unique physical and psychosocial health challenges. The adverse health risks associated with early pregnancy and possible poor parental and child outcomes have prompted the public health community to reduce unwanted pregnancies and childbirth among young parents. This entry explores factors associated with increased risk for young parenthood and describes current knowledge of these individuals' parenting and relationships. Other aspects of young parents, including their mental health and sexual risk behaviors, are then addressed in order to understand these other associated challenges for parents and practitioners. Finally, this entry explores the current knowledge on breastfeeding among young parents, as this behavior is an important opportunity to build healthy families.