How does teenage pregnancy affect the lives of young children?

Pregnant teens are often embarrassed or in denial about their situation, or they don't know where to turn for advice. As a result, they often don't seek medical care and don't end up eating a proper diet or taking care of themselves the way pregnant mothers should. This can result in higher illness and mortality rates among children of teen parents.

The children often grow up with emotional and educational problems as well. Because teen parents are often too immature to know how to care for their children and may be easily frustrated by infant behavior, their children may become victims of neglect or abuse. Teenagers want to act like teenagers and go out and have fun. They may get sick of taking care of their children and begin to resent them. In addition, research shows that the younger a mother is, the more likely her child will have a lower IQ.