Perinatal social work with childbearing adolescents.

Issues relating to adolescent childbearing have rapidly moved to the forefront of this nation's agenda. The implications of an adolescent's decision to have a baby have health, social and economic consequences for the adolescent, her offspring, partner and family and for all of society. This article will discuss the health, social and developmental consequences of adolescent childbearing and provide an overview of social work practice with childbearing adolescents.