Poverty-related factors place children at higher risk for disabilities and also serve as barriers to families accessing services for their children and themselves. Early childhood practitioners can play a critical role in supporting families by providing services to overcome these obstacles and by working in partnership with specialized early…

The reproductive health of American adolescents has been, and continues to be, a matter of serious concern. America's teen birth rate--already one of the highest among developed nations--is again on the rise. Also, rates of sexually-transmitted infection (STI) among teens remain disconcertingly high, with one-quarter of the 19 million new cases of…

Describes a nutrition education packet for natural childbirth (Lamaze) classes. The packet consists of four 15- to 20-minute lessons, each containing goal, objectives, questions (with answers), activities, and pamphlets. List of goals and sample activities are included. (JN)

Although teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United States declined for ten straight years during the 1990s and were less than half of comparative figures from 1957, the year of the all-time high of teen pregnancy, nearly one in ten teenage young women still became pregnant in 2001, with half of these young women giving birth. Teen pregnancy…

This special report on the impact of teenage pregnancy on the schools is designed to help school administrators set up or revise teenage pregnancy or parenting programs in their schools. The first chapter analyzes a survey of over 700 school administrators on their attitudes toward the teenage pregnancy problem as pregnant teenagers move into the…

The United States Supreme Court upheld a California state law requiring employers to allow a pregnant woman up to four months of unpaid maternity leave if she claims pregnancy as a disability. A bill before Congress addresses parental leave and job protection for parents caring for a new baby or a sick child. (MLH)

Today, the media, policy makers, educators, and parents are all talking about abstinence. Unfortunately, these groups often do not define the term or assume a singular, limited definition. However, each group and possibly each individual have a different definition of the word. In this environment of confusion and miscommunication, it is essential…

Nine women imprisoned for fatal child maltreatment were interviewed concerning their perceptions of interactions with their children, pregnancy and childbirth, mother-child separations and reunions, child development, rejection, children's behavior, and prior child abuse. Interpretation of their children as developmentally abnormal and…

Briefly describes three innovative social service programs for rural areas: Rural Adolescent Pregnancy Program, Involving the Natural Family in Long-Term (Foster) Care, and Promoting Collaboration in Rural Health Practice through Interdisciplinary Education. Provides names and addresses of rural practitioners to contact for further information.…

Increasingly, institutions are offering counseling on contraception, pregnancy, and other sex-related issues because of concern about a number of legal, medical, and ethical issues arising from student athlete pregnancy such as the safety, injury, privacy, and the college's responsibility to the student. (MSE)

This guide advocates an alliance among diverse groups for the purpose of decreasing the incidence of adolescent pregnancy and improving the outcome of pregnancies that do occur. It provides useful information for communities interested in developing pregnancy prevention activities. Statistics about adolescent pregnancies are given and the…

Discusses population education efforts to help people understand the nature, causes, and implications of population processes. Includes current regional emphases, formal programs, management and administration, and future issues. Emphasizes basic concepts such as respect for others, especially for females, self-respect and self esteem, the…

The 1988 Progress Report covers research activities of the five branches of the Center for Research for Mothers and Children of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. An introductory section briefly describes the Center, notes staff activities and Center sponsored conferences and workshops, and identifies highlights of…

Presents the arguments for and against artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization. Cites various legal, moral, and ethical questions which can be used to promote discussion. Some people feel that the natural bond between parent and child could be weakened as a result of this new technology. (RT)

Describes a 27-part flip chart developed in the Marshall Islands which was designed to be used with sixth graders in an effort to prevent teenage pregnancy. Examples of various parts of the materials are included, along with discussion questions. (TW)