Factors associated with parenting among incarcerated juvenile offenders

In regard to the injured offender, research indicates that violent victimiz ation represents only one facet of a constellation of associated risks and consequences, including promiscuity and adolescent parenthood. A relationsh ip between firearm injuries and self-reported promiscuity among incarcerate d juvenile offenders has previously been noted. The present study was an at tempt to gain additional insight into the larger consequences of violent in juries. information pertaining to the fathering of children was collected f rom 258 incarcerated male adolescents from the Richmond, Virginia, metropol itan area during a two-year period. It was hypothesized that adolescent par enting would be associated with firearm injuries. The results indicated tha t 20% of the juvenile offenders fathered at least one child. Analyses revea led a significant relationship between firearm injuries and increased preva lence of adolescent parenting. Continued involvement in illegal activities, as indicated by a second commitment to a juvenile correctional center, als o was associated with increased prevalence of adolescent parenting, while r ace and involvement in drug selling or violent offending were not. The soci al and economic implications of these findings, particularly in terms of th e health care and social service delivery systems, are discussed.