Continuing the Cycle of Teen Pegnancy: Kinship Adoptions

Teens Life Story Sheds Light on the Vulnerabilities of Kinship Adoption

For Immediate ReleaseMonday, March 20, 2000
Contact:Bonney Snow617-426-5505¾

BOSTON, MA-After her 13 year-old mother abandoned her, Shelby was bounced from one family member's household to another. During this time, she endured sexual assault and neglect. She also suffered depression and suicidal thoughts. Shelby writes of her life challenges in the latest issue of Teen Voices, an award-winning, magazine written by and for teen girls.

The article, "Being Adopted By My Family" gives an inner perspective to the problems associated with kinship adoptions, including neglect, grief, and violence. "Living with my aunt was so much fun-until my aunt's boyfriend sexually assaulted me." Shelby writes, "After that, I felt like dying."

Almost half of all adoptions resulting from teen pregnancy are either kinship or stepparent adoptions. Because most kinship adoptions do not follow the proper avenues of traditional adoptions, home safety, income stability, and guardian responsibility are not ensured.

Other reader-submitted articles in this month's issue spotlight teen topics of combating school violence, confronting rape stereotypes, and exploring different lifestyles.Teen Voices, published quarterly, reaches 75,000 readers nationwide and has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Boston Globe.
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