Kathleen Sylvester

In the following viewpoint, Kathleen Sylvester argues that the current welfare system has had detrimental effects on the family by “normalizing” the unfortunate circumstance of single parenthood and, most often, motherhood. Statistics prove that children of teenage parents often have children as teenagers themselves, perform poorly in school, and end up on welfare. To reverse this destructive trend she contends that the welfare system must be restructured and made less appealing to teenagers and potential parents. Sylvester is the director of the Social Policy Action Network, which promotes effective social policy by transforming the ideas and findings of front-line practitioners into concrete action agendas for policymakers.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Briefly explain the pattern of life for a pregnant teenager, as described by Sylvester. 2. What are two reasons the...