Childhood sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, and partnering with adult men: exploring the relationship.
Although the mechanism by which early victimization, specifically sexual abuse, increases the risk of adolescent pregnancy is unclear, a relationship between previous victimization and adolescent pregnancy has been demonstrated. While partnering with an older man may initially offer the means necessary to escape a neglectful or violent family of origin, this protection be accompanied by an imbalance of power and control. Both adolescent mothers partnered with adult men and adolescent mothers partnered with male peers reported sexual abuse perpetrated by family members, family friends, strangers, and peers. Policies developed to protect young people from victimization, including mandatory reporting and statutory rape laws, should be evaluated for their consistent application to all children, regardless of age, race, gender, or pregnancy status.
Harner
Holly M
HM
William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA. harnerh@bc.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners