This study considers how adolescent development is related to teenage fertility. Findings from two studies indicate that in some ways teenagers as a group differ from older individuals. The paper details some of the ways in which sexual experiences are influenced by social and emotional maturity and outlines some of the problems which result from…

Presents some data bearing on the relationship between the psychological development or maturity of adolescent women and their sexual behavior and contraceptive use. Data were collected through the American Public Health Association in 1975 from 369 females and 325 males. (Author/RK)

This paper discusses program implications of research on adolescents. A brief historical review of teenage sexuality is presented in order to put current information in perspective. The present increase in teenage fertility is seen as part of a larger epidemic failure of socialization. A number of recent studies are reviewed and synthesized,…

It is popularly held that the low rate of birth control use among sexually-active American teenagers is primarily due to their immaturity. Many teenagers are commencing their sexual careers prior to acquisition of the social and cognitive abilities demanded by responsible contraceptive use. A general decision-making framework can be used to create…