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Abstract
This paper discusses about the importance of a family-based intervention programme to response to the problem of premature pregnancy among at-risk adolescent girls in Malaysia. The discourse start with an assumption family environment, in particular parents’ styles of parenting is pertinent to influence adolescents involvement in premature sex activities, which later resulted to their premature or out of wedlock pregnancy. Empirical evidences from two separate qualitative studies were used to support the hypothesis. Both studies involves a group of delinquent girls who currently were enrolled into two rehabilitation and protection public institution – Taman Seri Puteri Probation Hostel, and the Henry Gurney (for girls) Approved School. Findings from the in-depth interviews among the 15 respondents demonstrate that parenting style does play a significant influence on adolescent sexual behaviours. Due to the strong relationship between parenting styles and adolescent sexual behaviour, the study proposed an intervention which concentrates on the family element to response to the social problem.