Teenage parenthood is recognized as a significant disadvantage in western industrialized nations. It has been found to increase the likelihood of poverty and to reinforce inequalities. This book explores, for the first time, the links between welfare state provision and teenage reproductive behavior across a range of countries with differing welfare regimes.òThe book provides the reader with unique insights in public attitudes towards teenage sex and early parenthood, drawing on both welfare state and feminist literature, as well as on new empirical evidence. It compares public policy responses to teenage parenthood in each "family" of welfare regime. The countries included in this study are: the UK, US, New Zealand, France, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Norway, the Province of Quebec, and Russia.