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Socioeconomic characteristics of fathers of children born to teenage mothers in Stockholm, Sweden

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, cecilia_ekeus{at}yahoo.com

Kyllike Christensson

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Reproductive and Perinatal Care, Karolinska Institutet

Aims: Teenage childbearing has been associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and the child. Despite this, no study in Sweden has focused on the fathers of those children. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the socioeconomic situation of fathers of children born to teenage mothers with those of children born to average-aged mothers. Methods: A descriptive comparative study was conducted, which comprised 132 fathers of children born to teenage mothers (Group A) and the same number of fathers of children born to older mothers (Group B). All fathers answered a structured questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and reproductive factors. Results: On certain critical variables the Group A fathers were more likely to have had a more compromised and difficult socioeconomic background. Compared with the Group B fathers they were more likely to have tried illicit drugs and to be involved in criminality. In addition, the Group A fathers often came from single-parent households. Conclusion : Many fathers of children born to teenage mothers showed problem behaviours, which may negatively influence their ability to engage in successful parenting. Therefore increased attention should be paid to the fathers at an early stage of pregnancy, during the antenatal visits.

Key Words: adolescent • adolescent parenting • adolescent pregnancy • fatherhood • teenage pregnancy.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 31, No. 1, 73-76 (2003)
DOI: 10.1080/14034940210134176


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