by K. Mahler

About the author: K. Mahler is an associate editor for Family Planning Perspectives.

Adolescent mothers who place their newborns for adoption are more likely than those who rear their infants to experience regret over their decision one year after the birth. However, according to a study of pregnant and postpartum teenagers in Ohio, these reactions are not associated with higher levels of depression or diminished feelings of efficacy. Moreover, adolescents who choose adoption complete more education, have higher rates of employment and lower rates of welfare receipt, and engage in less sexual risk-taking than do teenagers who keep their infants.

A Study to Gauge Adoption’s Benefits

Researchers interviewed 181 adolescents at three public health clinics, two crisis counseling centers and one private social service agency in urban Ohio between...