Families started by teenage mothers represent almost half of the families receiving welfare. In addition, the educational achievement of young women who become early parents is often terminated prematurely. Because teenage childbearing tends to be associated with other problems, such as poverty and low levels of education, children who grow up in welfare dependent families are themselves likely to fall into the welfare dependency cycle. Teenage mothers stand a better chance of avoiding long-term welfare dependency if they obtain a high school education. The purpose of this study was to build a profile of the successful adolescent mother by identifying the characteristics of teenage mothers who have chosen to keep their babies, complete high school, and/or plan to attend college or vocational training programs. The results of this study have provided a profile of the successful adolescent mother much like the characteristics of the average high school student. The adolescent mother who chooses to complete high school is likely to be single and living in her parent(s) home. The family is an essential part of the young mother's success, by providing emotional and financial support for the adolescent mother and her baby while she completes high school. The adolescent mother in high school is likely to be enrolled in a college prep or a general education program and maintains an average grade of a B or higher. Attending college is part of her plan for the future. The results of this study indicate that adolescent mothers with high educational aspirations have strong personal commitments and family support. Programs are needed which provide similar support to young mothers, especially for those who may not have strong family support systems. These programs must provide comprehensive care and education for adolescent mothers during pregnancy, after delivery, and throughout the high school and post-secondary school years. A support network integrating community services, continuing education, career development, daycare, and social service support is necessary to help the adolescent mother become self-sustaining in later years
