This book addresses the dilemma created by the discrepancy between our efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy and our support of adolescent parenthood, which the author argues is America's greatest unrecognized public health crisis. It is the most preventable cause of crime and welfare dependency, and because we hold no expectations for parents who conceive and give birth to children, rates of child neglect and abuse in the United States far exceed those of other developed nations. Westman explores the circumstances and values that make motherhood seem to be girls' best option and that induce males to conceive without the ability to support their children. It proposes a feasible legal procedure as the basis for ensuring that adolescents' babies have competent parents with the resources and environments they need.

"This extensive volume clearly presents, in ten parts, information that describes the situation, presents a foundation based on chaos/complexity theory, examines the developmental process of adolescence, considers the dynamics of adolescent parenthood, and explores the influence of families, communities, culture, and society on adolescent parents. . . . The complexity of the teenage parenting problem is evident in the scope of material provided, featured here in a clearly written format with extensive references. Recommended." - CHOICE, March 2010

"Expanding beyond its title's scope, this holistic analysis of key issues for American adolescents benefits professionals who work in any capacity with youth and families…. Westman's views could transform the approach to parenthood in America." - Youth Today, September 2010