Research has indicated that adolescent pregnancy greatly decreases the
likelihood of graduating from high school (Rothenberg & Weissman, 2002).
Although rates of pregnancy among teenagers have decreased in the last decade,
adolescent pregnancy remains a significant social and economic problem in this
nation (Coughlin, 2005). Multiple problems usually accompany teenage
pregnancy, such as poverty, lack of child care services, weak family support,
problems with the baby’s father, the stress of parenthood, medical issues, etc, and
each or all of these problems can lead a pregnant teenager or a young mother to
leave high school. Other problems, such as poor self-esteem and an unsupportive
school system, can also lead to dropping out. Schools have a responsibility to
society to reduce drop out rates and to assist all students in reaching graduation,