There is an epidemic of teen mothers in the United States. Teen births have been declining in the United States over the last 30 years from 90 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19 in 1955 to 56.9 in 1995. Most welfare recipients are teen mothers. In 1995, only 6 percent of female welfare recipients were under 20 years old. Most welfare recipients are able-bodied adults who have fallen into dependency and do not want to work.
Children are the main recipients of welfare.