African-American intergenerational teen pregnancy

Abstract

Intergenerational adolescent pregnancy is of paramount concern to the African-American community. This study focused on intergenerational adolescent pregnancy, in the African-American community. Female members of African-American families who had experienced intergenerational adolescent pregnancy were interview using the McGoldrick & Gerson genogram interview (1985). The results indicate that while adolescent pregnancy occurs in successive generations, the motivations and expectations of each participant were different. These differences can be partially attributed to generational issues, although personal differences cannot be ignored. While more research is needed, it is clear that one size fits all social programs are inadequate to meet the diverse needs of this population. Professionals involved in this area need to seriously reconsider their assumptions as to the cause and effect of adolescent pregnancy in the African-American community. Reconsideration of old assumptions may fuel positive design and structural changes in the conception and delivery of social services to this population.