Illustrates how both popular and scientific views of teenage pregnancy and parenting can and do change. Evaluates some newer views and offers some suggestions to help home economists evaluate the research information they receive. (JOW)

Reviews current rates of adolescent pregnancy and associated costs. Contends better empirical and theoretical bases for intervention programs are needed in the future. Claims much could be gained from high quality evaluations of the many current intervention programs, although the political climate often influences program development. Previews…

Interviewed delayed (N=32) and younger (N=32) childbearers and their spouses during the last trimester of pregnancy and at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Found groups to differ in demographic characteristics, but found no differences between delayed and younger childbearers, either initially or developmentally, in marital adjustment, self-esteem,…

Second evaluation of abstinence-only adolescent pregnancy prevention program included 528 subjects. None of desired changes in attitudes or behavior (premarital sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, self-esteem, family communication) occurred for total sample or for virgins in sample. Findings question federal policy of relying exclusively on…

This study was designed to examine the knowledge base of pregnant teenagers relative to that of their never-pregnant peers and adults. It also compared the parenting attitudes of pregnant teenagers to those of their never-pregnant peers. (Author/PN)

Examined the sexual history of 2,003 young women to determine whether childhood sexual abuse contributed to a greater risk for teenage pregnancy. Results indicate that sexual abuse alone was not related to the incidence of teenage pregnancy, but sexual precocity was related to much higher incidences of teenage pregnancy. (RJM)

A multivariate comparison of the childbearing and childrearing experiences of teenage and older mothers (N=67) was undertaken to investigate factors assumed to be responsible for developmental deficits experienced by children born to teenage mothers. The two groups were found to be quite similar on most of the variables studied. (Author)

Evaluated impact of abstinence promotion program targeting sixth and seventh graders. After being exposed to 6 program sessions focusing on self-esteem, communication skills, peer pressure, and teaching value that sex should be confined to marriage, only change shown by 191 participants but not by 129 controls was increase in precoital sexual…