How many lone parents are teenagers?

How many lone parents are teenagers?

• A. Less than 2%
• B. 5-10%
• C. 15-20%
• D. 25%+

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that teenage lone parents form only a very small fraction of all lone-parent families. In most contexts, the majority of lone parents are adults in their 20s or older, because teen pregnancies are relatively uncommon and, when they do occur, many teen mothers live with a partner or within a two-parent household rather than as lone parents. That’s why the proportion of lone parents who are teenagers is very small—less than 2%. Other ranges imply a much larger slice of lone-parent families headed by teenagers, which isn’t supported by the age pattern of births and household types.

The key idea is that teenage lone parents form only a very small fraction of all lone-parent families. In most contexts, the majority of lone parents are adults in their 20s or older, because teen pregnancies are relatively uncommon and, when they do occur, many teen mothers live with a partner or within a two-parent household rather than as lone parents. That’s why the proportion of lone parents who are teenagers is very small—less than 2%.

Other ranges imply a much larger slice of lone-parent families headed by teenagers, which isn’t supported by the age pattern of births and household types.