643881_30290496.jpgAccording to a report from Chlid Trends released on December 9, 2011, youth in foster care have an increased risk of having a child as teen parent. These young parents experience many challenges and often, outcomes for these youth and their children are poor.

Teen Parents in Foster Care: Risk Factors and Outcomes for Teens and Their Children identify several risk factors these youth experience that may contribute to their becoming a teen parent, including:

  • raised in a single parent home
  • chaotic home environment
  • poverty
  • exposure to abuse and/or neglect
  • low academic performance
  • poor school engagement
  • risky sexual behavior

The research study also includes several recommendations particularly focused on creating ways to better understand this population, particularly the teen parents and their children. For the report, click here.