California's recent investment in teen pregnancy prevention has contributed to the largest decline in teen birth rates and the second largest percentage reduction of all 50 states. California's annual teen birth rate is now similar to the national rate. This occurred while the highest teen birth rate group, Latinas, increased as a proportion of…

This paper examines teen births during the period from 1991 to 1996, a period chosen because teen births started to decline in 1991 and 1996 was the most recent data year available. In most cities, the number of births to teens decreased in this period, but in a small number of cities, the number of births to teenagers increased. It is not clear…

Research on the transition to parenthood suggests that the extent of the changes mothers and fathers undergo depends to a degree on the expectations which they develop during pregnancy. This study focused on expectations held by parents-to-be at the outset of the pregnancy regarding the potential effects that the baby's arrival would have on…

Preliminary data for 2003 from the National Center for Health Statistics show the teen birth rate continues to decline, reaching historic lows for teens in each age group. The 2003 rate of 41.7 births per 1,000 females 15-19 was 33 per cent lower than the 1991 peak rate of 61.8. The 2003 birth rate for teens aged 15-17 (22.4) was 42 per cent lower…

Describes several successful programs for dealing with the educational, medical, and social problems of pregnant school girls. (AN)

Describes the operation of several community clinics set up especially for teenagers, where girls can obtain counseling and contraceptive devices, with or without parental knowledge. (CJ)

Two physicians debate whether abortions should be available on request regardless of medical indications. The crux of the issue is whether the fetus should be considered body tissue over which the woman has complete control or whether society has an interest in the embryo and should protect it. (Author/BY)

It was not the original intention of this study to promote sex education, but it is apparent from the data young people need more information at the time they are first capable of reproduction. (Author)

A complex set of issues plague the efforts of public school sex education programs to reduce the level of pregnancy risk among adolescents. Issues include: (1) uncertain status of sex education; (2) training the teacher; (3) support among school leaders; (4) other influences on adolescent development; (5) developmental characteristics of…

Describes what teenagers do not know about pregnancy and childbearing. Urges that all students have the opportunity to learn the facts about sexuality, pregnancy, and parenthood. (SK)

Based on clinical interviews with 20 women, describes the experience of giving birth to and mourning a stillborn baby. Issues include pregnancy, delivery, seeing and touching the baby, autopsy, burial, "making memories," and mourning. Discusses the social worker's role in clinical practice and in influencing hospital procedures. (Author)

This paper examines the extent to which teenagers involve their parents in decision making on the resolution of unwanted conceptions, even though legalization of abortion allows them to terminate their pregnancies without parental knowledge. (RMH)

Gives particular attention to the Supreme Court's definition of "sex based discrimination" and its application of the "Griggs" effect-test. Asserts that the Court has adopted the most conservative available notion of equal opportunity. Available from Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Box 54, Columbia University School of Law,…