Who Feels Ready to Parent and Why? An Examination of Young Women at Risk for Pregnancy

Caroline Sten Hartnett, University of Michigan

Unintended pregnancy and early pregnancy are common in the U.S., and despite a large body of literature it is not well understood why these pregnancies occur. Qualitative research has suggested that part of the reason pregnancy is particularly common among young, disadvantaged women is that many of these women feel prepared to parent at an early age. Using data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life survey (N=992), I show that the belief that one could handle the responsibilities of parenting is associated with elevated risk of pregnancy among young women (even among those who say they don't desire a pregnancy). I explore what factors underlie the belief that one is ready to parent, and how this varies by socioeconomic status. In particular, I focus on how key status changes over time- in education, work, partnership, living arrangements– are associated with changes in women's beliefs that they could handle parenthood.