Introduction A major emphasis on the birth rate of U.S. teenagers continues to be a major topic of discussion among citizens within our society. The emphasis appears to be on the increase in adolescent pregnancies, births and abortions resembling indifferent focus on the sexual decisions made by teens. The indecisiveness of teens to make logical sexual decisions draw attention to question the physical/mental health, socioeconomic and educational status and influence of teenagers in making logical decisions regarding their overall sexual, emotional and mental health. Questions associated with understanding the association of teenage problems which often result in major life altering repercussions such as teenage pregnancies, births and abortions resort to executing strategies to mitigate the potential of increased teenage births. The aim of this study is call awareness to how cultural beliefs and differences have a significant impact on the teenagers’ decision in maintaining the pregnancy or choice to abort.

Purpose of the Study
The objective of this study is to become knowledgeable about teenage pregnancies, circumstances, experiences, and influences within their culture/society which influence their decisions. This study will be geared toward a number of pregnant adolescents who are enrolled full-time at high school. The study will be aimed toward answering the following questions: Who are these students? What are their ethnicity/cultural background? How has their cultural background effected their decision to maintain or abort their pregnancy? Are the pregnant adolescents from single parent’s homes? How has being pregnant impacted their lives concerning interactions with parents, siblings, teachers and fellow students as well as the general public? What has their overall pregnancy experience influenced their decisions to remain in school as a full-time student? And what are their means of support in ensuring all basic needs of child are met? I chose to use a survey method approach for this study. I believe this approach would be most beneficial due to the target population and the nature of the offenders. This study focuses on the theoretical perspective which focuses on the positive roles and functions that families serve as opposed to the problems that they experience indicate that families are important to prisoners and to the achievement of social goals, including the prevention of recidivism and delinquency. The site of my study will be at Tygers Correctional Institute which houses 897 inmates located in a small rural community of Enoree, SC population of 8,700 people. The target population of this study is the 1/3 of the prison population as well as 1/3 of the community population. The independent variable of this study would be the crimes committed by the repeat offenders. The dependent variable is the factors which prevent contributed to the offenders committing the crimes, familial, social and mental factors which may have contributed to the offenders committing the crimes. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire containing 20 items. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the type of crime committed, the number of offenses, repeat offenses, familial support, number of children, and if they were the product of parents who also committed crimes. The validity of the research threat is the prison participants and their ability to communicate with each other may have an effect on the way the prisons choose to answer the questionnaire. The way to preventing the risk of the validity of the research would be to have participants complete the questionnaires during a scheduled feeding time. The ethical considerations related to the plan are how the data will protect the anonymity of the participants involved.

References:
Hairston, C.(2001)Prisoners and Families: Parenting Issues and During Incarceration. Retrieved on July 28, 2013 from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/prison2home02/Hairston.htm