Research Paper on:
Michigan's Teen Pregnancy Problems and Solutions

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
and often go to college first. They are viewed as dependents into their early twenties and while that is the case, the sexual systems of the male and female mature  just as early as ever. In fact, there have been some speculation that children experience puberty at earlier and earlier ages. This sets the stage for teen pregnancy. It has  been reported that more than one million teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant each year; that statistic has remained relatively stable since 1973 (Henshaw, Kenney, Somberg,  & Van Wort, 1989; Carrera & Dempsey, 1988 cited in Morgan, Chapar & Fisher, 1995). Research into the phenomenon has come from a variety of sources but epidemiological studies  in particular have yielded important information about pregnancy rates and risk factors (Morgan et al, 1995). Studies have shown that race and poverty have been identified as major  risk factors for teen pregnancy (Zelnick & Kantner, 1978 cited in Morgan et al, 1995). Research coming from developmental and psychiatric disciplines have addressed the role of premorbid psychopathology and  cognitive and emotional immaturity in teens who have become impregnated (1995). Research has most definitely identified several factors such as a poor relationship with the mother, immaturity, inability to plan  for the future, and impulsiveness in those who do become pregnant in their teen years (Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP), 1986; Cobliner, 1974; Hart & Hilton, 1988;  Hatcher, 1973; Schaffer & Pine, 1972 cited in Morgan et al, 1995). There is also a trend that notes teens are becoming sexually active at younger and younger ages; the  largest jump in sexual activity is among adolescents under the age of 16. Statistics reveal that 72% (Shapiro, 1993, p.56) of all students by their senior year of high school