Reexamining the Association of Maternal Age and Marital Status at First Birth With Youth Educational Attainment

Abstract

Using data from the linked Children and Young Adult sample (N = 2,865) of the NLSY79, we reexamined the association of maternal age and marital status at birth with youth high school completion, assessing multiple age categories and race/ethnic variations. Youth born to older teen mothers were no more likely to graduate from high school than those born to the youngest teen mothers. Although delaying childbirth to young adulthood (age 20–24) was associated with greater odds of children’s high school completion compared to the earliest teen births, those born to young adult mothers were disadvantaged compared to those born to mothers age 25 or older. Being born to an unmarried mother was associated with lower odds of high school completion but this did not fully explain the estimated effect of maternal age at birth. We found no evidence that maternal age at birth more strongly predicted high school graduation for White compared to Latino or Black youth.

Time-Varying Outcomes Associated With Maternal Age at First Birth

“…The significant effect of having the father in the child's household on the likelihood of poverty status is noteworthy. In conjunction with recent findings that marital status did not protect against negative outcomes related to young maternal age (Addo, Sassler & Williams, 2016), our results present an interesting juxtaposition. One explanation may be that the mere presence of the father in the home (cohabitation), versus legal marriage itself, serves as a potentially protective factor for young mothers at risk of poverty.…”

“…Results of a study from Addo, Sassler, and Williams (2016) were similar, illustrating that delaying childbearing into the early twenties did not significantly improve educational outcomes for mothers compared to those in their late teens. Kane, Morgan, Harris, and Guilkey 2015pointed out that a changing sociopolitical landscape (e.g., increased rates of attending college, greater need for dual income within families) may mean that even those who delay childbearing into their 20's do not fare significantly better than how teen mothers have in the past.…”

“…In the existing literature there is no empirically identified age at which these outcomes seem to improve. The literature often treats maternal age at first birth during the teenage years as most problematic despite some evidence that problems associated with young parenting may persist into the twenties (Addo, Sassler & Williams, 2016).…”

‘The psychosocial burden of alopecia areata and androgenetica’: a cross‐sectional multicentre study among dermatological out‐patients in 13 European countries

“…Furthermore, AA is associated with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, body dysmorphic disorders, social phobia and suicidal thoughts. 15,16 Further studies should be done to confirm this hypothesis. 12 It is interesting to note that depression and anxiety were not correlated to the disease severity.…”

“…Moreover, these patients have a lower education level, which is usually correlated with earlier partnerships. 15,16 Further studies should be done to confirm this hypothesis.…”