Discusses barriers to effective contraception, such as informational, emotional, and imaginative factors, and what might be done to avoid unwanted pregnancies by using these factors in positive programs and behaviors. (Author/RK)

The pamphlet, "What Can Be Done About the Epidemic of Adolescent Pregnancies in the United States?" is critically examined. The author attempts to correct statistical distortions, thereby challenging the much-decried epidemic, and takes a look at the administration of the Planned Parenthood/Guttmacher Institute in terms of its objectives. (RK)

Discusses problems associated with teenage pregnancies. Included is consideration of trends and the impact of this trends in the United States. (SL)

Childbirth during marital disruption is found to be a surprisingly frequent occurrence. Both prevalence of intermarital fertility and social policy issues which are involved suggest this phenomenon may be similar in importance to illegitimacy. (Author)

Analyzes the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in General Electric Co. v. Gilbert that a disability benefits plan is not discriminatory on the basis of sex because of its failure to cover pregnancy-related disabilities. Discusses implications of the decision for public school districts. (JG)

Examined the relationship between contracepting problems, unplanned fertility, and both child abuse and neglect in 518 urban, single parent, public assistance mothers. Findings revealed that increasing numbers of unplanned conceptions increased the probability of both abuse and neglect and that the unplanned conceptions were due to both failure to…

Examined change in women's self-evaluations in maternal role from before to after birth of a couple's first child. Found that a few weeks after delivery, women's average self-ratings dropped from levels during pregnancy, rebounded by one year postpartum. Examined differences between working- and middle-class women. (Author/NB)

The article analyzes the incidence of adolescent pregnancies in Canada from a socio-ecological perspective, describes the cyclical nature of the problem, and discusses potential health promotion and prevention strategies at various stages of the generational cycle, including a model for sexual decision-making. (JW)

Compared the sociocultural characteristics of pregnant adolescents (N=129) of low socioeconomic status with a nonpregnant adolescent group (N=100) from the same area of Santiago, Chile. Found several differences between the groups including less schooling, lower level of aspirations, and a tendency to live in "the present" among the…

Compared pregnant adolescents who attended a parent education program (N=9), those who did not attend such programs (N=14), and nonpregnant adolescents (N=29) for differences in self-concept, anxiety, and depression which might account for postdelivery outcomes. Results suggest that the groups did not differ in terms of these personality…

Objectives, activities, instructional methods, and resources are listed for a 10-lesson unit plan for teaching about women's health issues at the secondary school level. Body image, menstrual health, substance abuse, breast and genital cancer, occupational health, pregnancy, and aging are discussed. (CB)

This article describes a rural teenage pregnancy program and compares the pregnancy outcomes to 60 matched nonparticipants. The study determined a relationship existed between program participation and maternal complications, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, and perinatal morbidity. (Author/MT)

Mothers observed at 3 to 5 months postpartum interacting with their infants were given attitude questionnaires. Mothers who had reported preganancy problems were more depressed and anxious and expressed more punitive childrearing attitudes than mothers not reporting pregnancy problems. (Author/NH)

Reviews literature on intervention programs for adolescent mothers. Focuses on specific goals: minimizing obstetrical complications, fostering positive parent-child interactions, reducing social isolation and maximizing support, and eliminating repeat out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Reports that all programs reviewed displayed moderate success, and…

Explored psychosocial characteristics of 140 married teenage mothers matched with nonpregnant teenagers and pregnant women 20 years or older. The groups did not differ significantly on personalty tests. Pregnant women reported poorer daughter-father relationships. Interview data suggested that a large number of the pregnancies were psychologically…