Children and adolescents of Latino/Hispanic background often face challenges that differ from other subpopulations in the United States. Language barriers, issues related to parental citizenship status, and the economic disadvantages often faced by these children and adolescents can result in various negative outcomes, such as depression,…

Girls face unique developmental challenges in childhood and adolescence. Compared to boys, girls tend to report more mental health problems, and they are susceptible to reproductive health risks, such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. While a number of evidence-based programs have been found to be effective at reducing risk…

The disproportionate vulnerability of African American youth to certain negative outcomes, including teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, HIV infection, and violent death, has emphasized the need for out-of-school time program providers and funders to seek programs that have been found to have positive impacts for this population.…

Adolescents are influenced by a variety of social factors and institutions. Prior research confirms what many of us know instinctively: that parents can be one of the strongest influences in adolescents' lives. For example, higher levels of parental involvement in their adolescents' lives are linked with lower levels of delinquency, violent…

The reproductive health of American adolescents has been, and continues to be, a matter of serious concern. America's teen birth rate--already the highest among developed nations--is again on the rise, and rates of sexually transmitted diseases among American teens are very high. As such, the development and identification of effective…

Summarizes research from the 1980s on topics of adolescent sexual activity, contraception, abortion, marriage, adoption, and childrearing. Emphasizes research about antecedents of adolescent sexual and contraceptive behavior because they are key risk factors in adolescent pregnancy. Notes advances in data and methods and highlights research gaps.…

Analyzes attitudes and values concerning marriage and fertility using data from the 1987 wave of the National Survey of Children. Most respondents were aged 18 to 22. Their views on marriage, divorce, abortion, and related topics should be taken into account in developing policy. (DM)

Early childbearing is shown to have an effect on the education of the mother, the size of her ultimate family, and her labor force participation. Early first birth was found to be less detrimental to the later economic well being of Black women than of White women. (RLV)

Widespread concern about teenage childbearing led to the establishment of numerous intervention programs throughout the United States during the 1980s. Nevertheless, between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s, the teen birth rate rose in every state. This volume examines numerous prevention programs and makes recommendations for establishing…

The number of teenage parents continues to grow, and they face a variety of economic and educational barriers. While only a minority of teens actively desire pregnancy, many lack sufficient motivation to avoid it. Possible solutions to this problem include improving schools, job opportunities, and access to family planning services. (KH)

Recent declines in funding for contraceptive services have led to questions regarding the role of contraceptive services and social policy in shaping adolescent reproductive behavior. This 2-year study examined the impact of state-level policies on adolescent pregnancy and fertility. Data were obtained from a variety of sources, including the…

For the past several decades, the teenage birth rate in the United States has exceeded that of other industrialized nations. To explore the factors behind this high birth rate, this volume summarizes recent research conducted in the United States on the perceived causes of teenage childbearing. This review is organized around the events leading to…

This book examines the differences between blacks and whites in their early childbearing patterns. In particular it examines the causes of teenage pregnancy and parenting in blacks and its negative effects on parents and children. Fertility data, available information and attitudes about contraception and abortion, education, employment goals, and…

Rates of adolescent childbearing in the United States are two to ten times higher than in comparable industrialized democracies. Some programs and service options that show promise for reducing the incidence of adolescent pregnancy are identified in this paper. It begins by outlining 11 principles derived from available research and from program…

This computer file contains recent cross sectional data on adolescent fertility by state for 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980-85. The following variables are included: (1) births; (2) birth rates; (3) abortions; (4) non-marital childbearing; (5) infant mortality; and (6) low birth weight. Data for both teenagers and women aged 20-24 years are…