The Socio-Economic Characteristics of First Nation Teen Mothers

• Published in: International Indigenous Policy Journal
• Main Authors: Garner, Rochelle, Guimond, Eric, Senécal, Sacha
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Western University 2013
• Subjects: Indian; First Nations
• Online Access: https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/iipj/article/view/7399

Using data from the 2006 Census, this study examines the socio-economic characteristics of First Nations and non-Aboriginal teenage mothers, and compares these to those of non-teenage mothers in a cohort of women aged 25 to 29 years old. Results indicated that First Nations women were more likely than non-Aboriginal women to be teenage mothers. In general, teenage mothers were less likely to have graduated high school, more likely to live in overcrowded housing, and in a home in need of major repair. Furthermore, teenage mothers had lower household incomes after adjusting for the composition the household. Characteristics also differed significantly between First Nations and non-Aboriginal women, as well as between Registered Indian women living on- and off-reserve.