Teenage Fatherhood Reduces the Likelihood of High School Graduation

A new study by US researchers has revealed that teenage fatherhood is likely to lower the chances a young man will graduate from high school but at the same time it also increases his odds of employment or joining the military.

To study the negative educational and economic outcomes of teenage fatherhood scientists studied about 362 men below 18 years and 9 months of age whose partners experienced pregnancy but underwent a miscarriage, with those who gave birth. 64% percent received a high school diploma and 16% received a General Educational Development (GED). Those who became fathers were 15% less likely to graduate but increased their chances of receiving a GED by 11%. Those who became fathers increased their chance of full-time employment by 6% and military employment by 2%.

The study suggests that educational intervention is required to target teenage fathers so that they complete high school diploma. The study has been published online in the journal Economic Inquiry.


Source: Medindia