Sometimes life can hand people unexpected roadblocks that could potentially hinder their academic progress. According to a new study published in the journal Economic Inquiry, boys who become fathers as teenagers are more likely to have a negative educational outcome.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the negative academic effects were far more prevalent for boys than girls. Researchers found that teenage boys who suddenly became fathers had a 64 percent graduation rate while 16 percent received GEDs. Additionally, teenage fathers' chances of graduation were reduced by 15 percentage points, and their chances of getting a GED increased by 11 percentage points.

The scientists believe that educators may want to take these findings seriously in an effort to educate men on the consequences of being sexually active.

"Educational interventions may need to target new teenage fathers in order to increase their chances of completing their high school diplomas," said study co-authors Jason Fletcher and Barbara Wolfe. "This may include the provision of sex education as well as access to contraceptives."