Just in time for Father’s Day, a new Child Trends Research Brief out this week takes a look at the characteristics of teen fathers, providing information on teen fathers at the time of the birth of their first child and later as they become young adults.

The numbers are not insignificant. The study found that nearly one in ten young men between the ages of 12 and 16 in 1996 (reflecting the group of young men examined in this brief) became fathers before their twentieth birthday.

Additional findings include:

• Most young men who father a child during their teens are 18 or 19 years old.

• Most teen fathers are not living with a partner at the time their first child is born.

• Less than one-half of teen fathers live with their first child at the time of the birth.

• Almost one-half of the men who fathered a child as a teen have more than one child by the time they are between ages 22 and 24.

Researchers recommend prevention and intervention efforts for teen parents that target both men and women, and addressing repeat teen pregnancy and multiple-partner fertility issues. They conclude “Taking a closer look at teen fathers’ unique circumstances and experiences may help to prevent early fatherhood and subsequent teen births, especially with different partners, and may better equip the current generation of teen fathers with the parenting skills they need to succeed.”

The California Pregnant and Parenting Youth Guide has information on pregnancy prevention and information specific to teen dads. Check out our recent blog post to learn more about fathers’ rights.

To read the full study, “The Characteristics and Circumstances of Teen Fathers: At the Birth of Their First Child and Beyond,” click here.
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