Teenage pregnancy: the forgotten father.

Fathers involved with teenage pregnancies have been neglected by the medical profession and social service agencies. The birth of a child has a profound impact on most fathers. The father plays an important role at all stages of the child's development, as evidenced by the adverse effects of father absence. Teenage fathers often do have a close, meaningful relationship with the mother, but many have difficulty coping with the pregnancy and the change in lifestyle created by the birth of a child. Agencies dealing with the pregnant teenager must include the father. Attempts to strengthen the father-mother and father-child relationship should be encouraged. Prevention of teenage pregnancy and its adverse consequences must ultimately involve the male if these efforts are to succeed.