No Degree, No Job: Adolescent Mothers’ Perceptions of the Impact that Adolescent Fathers’ Human Capital has on Paternal Financial and Social Capital

摘要

Becoming an adolescent father truncates young males’ opportunities to complete high school and secure employment, which can hinder their capacity to contribute financial and social capital to their children. Based on 69 adolescent mother reports, results suggest that whereas employment status is associated with adolescent fathers’ physical and financial presence, high school completion is strongly associated with the nature and quality of parenting and co-parenting behaviors. Implications for school counselors, teachers, social workers, and future research are discussed.