Teenage Pregnancy in Sociological Contexts: The Relative Effect of Family Characteristics and Formal Sex Education Open Access

Abstract

The United States has been fighting to reduce teenage pregnancy rate for decades through introduction of various sex education programs. Previous systematic review of the effectiveness of these formal preventative measures shows mixed results. This research aims to put teenage pregnancy into its broader sociological context by examining two areas of influence: 1) family characteristics in terms of intact family status and household dynamic; 2) the specific type and topics of institutional sex education received by teenagers before age 18. Data from the 20132015 National Survey of Family Growth are used to assess the relative effects of family characteristics and sex education on females aged 15-44 who have responded with information about their pregnancy history and reproductive health. Logistic regression results indicate adolescents who had lived in intact families are significantly less likely to experience teen pregnancy. Among those within single-parent households, the presence of biological fathers is strongly associated with daughters’ lower pregnancy rate. Abstinence programs reduce the likelihood of reported teen pregnancy, whereas having been taught other comprehensive topics such as condom use or birth control access does not affect teen pregnancy outcome. Overall, family characteristics appear to have a larger impact on adolescent pregnancy than formal sex education programs. 

Table of Contents

Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1 

Historical Background ..........................................................................................................4 

Program Overview ................................................................................................................10 

Review of Selected Sex Education Studies ..........................................................................14 

Review of Selected Family/Household Studies ....................................................................18 

Description of the Secondary Data Set ..................................................................................21 

Measurement of Variables ....................................................................................................22 

Methods .................................................................................................................................23 

Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................24 

Discussion and Conclusion ...................................................................................................30 

Bibliography .........................................................................................................................33 

Appendices 

Table 1 ......................................................................................................................37 

Table 2 ......................................................................................................................40 

Table 3 ......................................................................................................................41 

Table 4 ......................................................................................................................43 

Figure 1 .....................................................................................................................44

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Sociology
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
Keyword	Teen pregnancy Sex education
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Jeff Mullis, Emory University
Committee Members	Kathryn Yount, Emory University Molly Epstein, Emory University

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