Teen pregnancy has been a problem in the United States for years. Although rates have declined since the 1990s, teen pregnancy rates in the United States are still higher than in other Western societies (Arai, 2009). Teenage pregnancy is accompanied by many negative consequences, such as decreased educational experience, decreased employment, increased family size, increased risk of single parenthood, and poverty (Turner, 1990). Teen mothers struggle daily. To help them in their struggle, they can benefit from a psychoeducational group that will teach them parenting skills, social skills and provide them with the support they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The population I will focus on are pregnant teens and teen mothers between the ages of 15 and 19. The group may also include teenage fathers. Psychoeducational groups will work best for this population because they will create a safe place for adolescents to learn parenting skills and have support from one another (DeLucia, 2006). Since every teenager is going through the same situation, they will be able to relate to each other and feel understood. Child Development Although there are negative consequences for the mother, the child is also at risk by being born to a teenage mother. One of the most common events is low birth weight (Strunk, 2008). Low birth weight increases the mortality rate. It also has long-term effects such as developmental and cognitive delays. Low birth weight can be caused by a mother's lack of prenatal care, poor nutrition, and stress (Strunk, 2008). Before becoming pregnant, the adolescent's body is not prepared for the change. Pregnancy takes a toll on the body that most teens are not ready for. When their body is not the focus of the card, girls can be taught coping strategies that they can use when they find themselves in stressful situations. When they know how to properly handle a situation, they are less likely to take it out on their children. Additionally, keeping stress at a low level will have positive benefits for the parent-child relationship. The benefits of a psychoeducational group for teenage pregnancy are evident. At this age, teenagers are experiencing many developmental changes, and raising a child at the same time can be overwhelming. As teen pregnancy becomes more and more common, it is inevitable that counselors working with teens or families will encounter this topic. Even though the odds are stacked against teen mothers, it's important for counselors to know that girls have potential. Once you teach them the right skills needed, they will feel more confident about being parents.