Teen Fathers: Implications for School Counselors

Historically researchers have focused on teen mothers, while neglecting teen fathers. Teen fathers are portrayed negatively and are often described as using teen girl only for sex and abandoning her when she tells him she is pregnant. Six teen fathers were interviewed in an urban school district in the southeastern region of the United States. The teen fathers expressed their needs, stressors, and involvement with their children. Suggestions for high school counselors working with this at-risk population are discussed as well as suggestions for future research