Investigates the conceptual and empirical links between early experiences of maltreatment and later teenage pregnancy in a representative sample of 249 teenage women (Rochester Youth Development Study). Data indicate significantly higher pregnancy rates among teenagers with a maltreatment history and seems more pronounced for those with a range of…

The paper examines the rights of mentally handicapped people to marry and to bear and raise children. It discusses United States and Canadian societal attitudes, laws, and constitutional issues in terms of the incapacity of mentally handicapped individuals to contract to marry, sterilization as a condition to marriage, and the concept of…

Sex equity issues which are emphasized in this article include: (a) how boys and girls negotiate reproductive transitions; (b) how male and female sexual maturity is treated differently by parents, educators, and society; and (c) how the consequences of puberty and sexual behavior may differ for boys and girls. (IAH)

Discusses what the Jacksonville (Florida) community is doing for teens to prevent pregnancy, help pregnant adolescents, and help adolescent parents. Discusses whether these activities are sufficient and effective. Suggests specific ways to improve programs and indicates that there are many factors to consider when attempting to deter teen…

An overview of research on pre-adolescent and adolescent pregnancy is provided, and innovative school and community-based prevention programs are discussed. The implications for psychologists with respect to preventive programing in school settings are considered. (SLD)

A longitudinal study examined predictive relations among sociometric status, aggression, and adolescent childbearing; the relation among peer status, aggression, and multiple births; and whether these variables are related to the timing of adolescent childbearing. Results suggest that controversial peer status and aggression predict adolescent…

Recent statistics concerning teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are compelling reasons for reaching kids before they become sexually active. Comprehensive K-12 programs are essential, despite conflicts over abstinence, abstinence-but, and safer-sex approaches. Adverse program criticism can be diffused if administrators examine…

Compares self-concept scores of 199 pregnant African American adolescents from urban and rural areas. Results showed that self-concept scores of both groups were not as high as scores of a nonpregnant norm group of adolescents. Pregnant adolescents' scores were similar regardless of age or geographic location. (RJM)

Maintains that infants and toddlers, parents, and child caregivers are vulnerable to a variety of infectious diseases from infant-toddler child care centers. These diseases include infectious diarrhea; rubella; cytomeglovirus; hepatitis A, and haemophilus influenza type B. Suggests ways to prevent the spread of such diseases. (BB)

A recent survey found that 90 percent of high school seniors/respondents perceived the world as stressful and the majority of people as phony. These views may partly explain the high suicide, pregnancy, dropout, and drug usage rates among high school seniors. Teachers can help students overcome stress by modeling coping strategies and providing…

A program was established in Rennes, France, to aid expectant mothers felt to be at risk for abusing or neglecting a child. The program provided information, ensured medical/psychological care, decreased social isolation, encouraged independent decision making, fostered communication within the family, and helped mothers establish a nurturing…

A computerized mechanism for client tracking linked to a management information system (MIS) is presented. The MIS can thus serve several evaluation functions. Features of the MIS are illustrated through a previous study of a project for pregnant and postpartum chemically dependent women. (SLD)

Neither sexuality education nor abstinence programs have reduced adolescent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. The article presents recent data, explains why prevention does not work, and describes crucial factors that school and community prevention programs fail to incorporate (adult-teen intercourse, teen-teen intercourse, adult…

Adolescents who are hopeful about their futures are less likely to become pregnant. Other factors that can help lower the teen pregnancy rate are age-appropriate K-12 sex education classes; access to contraception; and parents who have close relationships with their children and communicate their values about sex and sexuality. Sidebars cite…

Describes the mental-health and medical services provided at a high-school-based service center. Five years after the center's inception mental health visits had quadrupled. One third of students utilizing the center reported substance abuse within their family. Other reasons for center use included pregnancy, suicidal ideation, obesity,…