The Role of Parents and Families in Teen Pregnancy Prevention

An Analysis of Programs and Policies

Bibliographic Data

ID7881302
AuthorsJessica Silk (Program in Community Health Education, Hunter College, City University of New York, USA), J FredkW Silk (City University of New York), Diana Romero (0000-0002-4832-9564, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy)
Year2014
Volume35
Issue10
Pages1339-1362
Publication date2014-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0192-513X • E-ISSN: 1552-5481
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0192513x13481330
OpenAlexW2157792085
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited48

Parent involvement (PI) is considered necessary in teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) and preventing other adolescent risk behaviors. However, controversy exists regarding the extent to which families are responsible for adolescent sexual decision making. We adapted two frameworks (Kirby’s risk and protective factors and the Parent–Child Connectedness model) to examine parent- and family-based programs and policies relevant to TPP. There is evidence that PI is an important and effective component of TPP; however, the evidence for PI programs is less strong. Although the United States has legislated various PI-related policies in the context of adolescent sexuality, most have hindered the health of adolescents. Furthermore, the United States falls behind other Western industrialized nations when it comes to healthy family-based policies. PI in TPP is important; however, TPP requires multiple levels of intervention beyond the involvement of parents. We make recommendations for how various stakeholders can effectively use healthy family-based interventions in TPP

Developed country · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Human sexuality · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social connectedness · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology