ABSTRACT
Few aspects of family life are more culturally determined than the ages of betrothal, marriage, and childbearing. People are all familiar with peoples among whom teen marriage and teenage mothers are not only common but the expected norm. There are a number of practical issues to be considered while one is awaiting the birth of their grandchild. As usual, good communication with one's child will make many things much easier. Very young mothers are almost twice as likely to have a low-birth-weight baby as older mothers. Some pregnant teens and their families choose a maternity home as the best arrangement. Although, in the past, closed adoptions meant that adopted children were deprived of any knowledge of or contact with their birthfamilies, this has changed. In recent years, adopted children have become far more aggressive about their rights to identify their birthparents.
