The relationship of partner support to outcomes for teenage mothers and their children: A review

This article reviews the literature on the relationship of partner support to outcomes for teenage mothers and their children. It discusses the changing alliance over time between men who father their babies and the young mothers and their children. This report considers both adults and adolescents who father children with adolescent women. The discussion focuses on the relationship between partner support and three outcomes for the mothers: educational outcomes, economic outcomes, and psychological well-being. The general association between partner support and the children's development is also examined. In addition, partner support is viewed within the context of the teenager's family system, providing a framework for assessing key features of support for teenage mothers. The article outlines suggestions for future research.