Which statement correctly describes the pregnancy-related child abuse scenario?

• A. A child under 16 who becomes pregnant by a person 21 or older constitutes child abuse
• B. A child under 18 who becomes pregnant by anyone constitutes child abuse
• C. Any pregnancy by a minor is not child abuse
• D. Only pregnancy by a minor under 15 is child abuse

Answer: (A)

When a minor becomes pregnant as a result of sexual activity with an adult, it is treated as abuse because it involves exploitation of a vulnerable person by someone significantly older. The statement that a child under 16 who becomes pregnant by a person 21 or older constitutes child abuse reflects this protective stance: the adult’s involvement demonstrates clear exploitation and endangers the minor’s wellbeing, which triggers abuse statutes and mandatory reporting.

This framework helps ensure adults who engage in sexual activity with younger teens are held accountable, and it emphasizes safeguarding minors from coercion or abuse. The other descriptions are broader or narrower than how these protections are typically applied: pregnancy by a minor isn’t automatically deemed abuse in every context, the belief that all pregnancies by minors are abuse is too expansive, and restricting abuse to only those under 15 misses situations where a significantly older adult targets someone between 15 and 16.