Journal of Sociology and Social Work

Risk of Teen Fatherhood among Minority High School Athletes
Nila Ricks PhD, LMSW

Abstract
Limited research has been devoted to investigating how team sport participation impacts risk behaviors among adolescent males, specifically their risk of becoming a teen father. The current study investigated the association between team sport participation, substance use, and risk of teen fatherhood. The primary purpose was to compare risk behaviors between athletes and non-athletes. The Teen Fatherhood Risk Scale was developed to measure risky sexual behavior that elevates males’ risk of becoming teen fathers. The sample consisted of 4588 male high school students between the ages of 15 and 17. T-test analysis compared risk scores between athletes and non-athletes and indicated that athletes were at a greater risk of becoming teen fathers. T-test analysis also revealed that minority male athletes were at a greater risk of becoming teen fathers. More specifically, ANOVA analysis indicated that relative to Hispanic and White athletes, Black male athletes had the highest risk of becoming a teen father. In addition, male athletes consumed more alcohol and marijuana than non-athletes did. Recommendations for practice, policy, and research are also discussed.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v4n1a1