Fifty disadvantaged couples are compared with a cross-sectional norm group from a previous study in order to determine if socio-economic status is a significant variable in the difficulty experienced in adjusting to first time parenthood, and to determine if there is a statistical significant difference between selected variables such as sex, pre- and post-birth marriage ratings between the sexes, preparation for parenthood, age, pre- versus post-marital pregnancy and planned versus unplanned pregnancy in the adjustment to parenthood. Overall results indicate: that the sample shows significantly more difficulty than men in adjusting to parenthood; that preparation for parenthood does not make judgment less difficult; that older individuals find adjustment less difficult than younger persons; that there is no difference between pre- versus post-marital pregnancy and adjustment; that there is no difference between planned versus unplanned pregnancy and adjustment to parenthood. The traditional means of preparing individuals for parenthood, as measured here, are not effective with this group, indicating a need for further research in preparation for parenthood and in personal and emotional development in high school. The development of a reliable method of measuring the gratification and the difficulties involved in the transition to parenthood is needed. (Author/AM)