Summary

Although the birth rate for teenage women fell 41 percent from the late 1950s to 1995--paralleling the decline in the U.S. birth rate--the number of babies born to teenagers remains high (about 512,000 in 1995). Births to unmarried teenage mothers, however, more than quintupled as a proportion of total teen births over the same period. As of 1995, the teenage birth rate was about 57 per thousand; however, rates varied considerably by subgroup. The birth rates for black and Hispanic women are more than twice those for white teens. In 1995, nearly half of teen mothers were white and most were aged 18 to 19 and unmarried. About two-thirds of recent teen mothers did not intend to get pregnant or have a child; however, about one-fifth of women who gave birth already had one child. Teenage mothers also graduate from high school at lower rates than all teen women. Sixty-four percent of teen mothers complete high school, compared with about 90 percent of all teen women.

GAO noted that: (1) although the birth rate for teenage women decreased 41 percent from the late 1950s to 1995--paralleling the decline in the U.S. birth rate--the number of babies born to teenagers is still high; (2) births to unmarried teenage mothers, however, more than quintupled as a proportion of total teen births over the same period; (3) as of 1995, the teen birth rate was about 57 per thousand; however, rates varied considerably by subgroup; (4) the birth rates for black and Hispanic teenage women are more than twice those for white teens; (5) in 1995, nearly half of teen mothers were white and most were aged 18 to 19 and unmarried; (6) about two-thirds of recent teen mothers did not intend to get pregnant or have a child; however, about one-fifth of women who gave birth already had one child; (7) teenage mothers also graduate from high school at lower rates than all teen women; (8) 64 percent of teen mothers complete high school, compared with about 90 percent of all teen women; (9) research studies that have examined the antecedents of teen motherhood have shown that limited involvement in school and some family background characteristics--such as family instability and declines in family income--are associated with increased likelihood of teen motherhood; and (10) the effect of most factors varies among racial and ethnic groups.