Compares changes in birth rates, sexual activity, abortion rates, illegitimate births, and incidence of giving babies up for adoption among White and Black adolescents and explores social and cultural influences on the racial differences. Presents suggestions for culturally related interventions in the area of teenage pregnancy. (Author/MJL)

The high incidence of abortion and pregnancy among college students is indicative of their increasing rate of sexual activity. College students refute the use of contraceptives for reasons which include: (1) difficulty in acknowledging oneself and others as sexual beings; and (2) shame and guilt over sexual activities. (JN)

Describes a program in Bangladesh designed to make the rural poor understand their social and economic problems in order to begin to bring about change through their own efforts. The program is functional education and includes topics in family planning, health, housing, nutrition, and agriculture. (Author/SA)

Potentially important features and outcomes of sex education programs are examined in relation to program goals of reducing unwanted adolescent pregnancy and the facilitation of positive and fulfilling sexuality. A survey of sex education professionals indicates wide agreement on features and outcomes, as well as the compatibility of goals. (JMF)

The purposes of this paper are to explore the major reasons for limited contraception practices for improving sex education. Three areas are identified for discussion: lack of information, cognitive-emotional development, and acceptance of sexuality. (Author)

A review of 20 United States studies of adolescent sexual behavior was undertaken to integrate data accumulated over the past three decades. Several methodological incongruities made comparisons difficult, so suggestions are made for future research. Available data suggest a gradual evolution, not a revolution, in adolescent sexual behavior.…

The U. S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade found that the right of privacy guarantees a woman the prerogative of having an abortion free of interference by the state; but in Doe v. Bolton it allowed a hospital to refuse to admit a patient for an abortion. This conflict is discussed with reference to the Church Amendment. (LBH)

Examines how, in the 1920s and 1930s, birth control advertisements (prolific and illegal) conflicted with the arguments for birth-control legalization. Applies M. Bakhtin's grotesque and classical categories and M. Douglas's pollution metaphors to analyze the language birth-control advocates used to distinguish between medical and nonmedical…

Conducted year-long study of 207 low-income Black youth to determine their perceptions of family relationships, thereby identifying family members who had most potential for encouraging contraceptive responsibility and for influencing adolescents' decisions about becoming sexually active. Also studied dating and sexual behavior, attitudes toward…

Two northern California surveys examined prevalence of sexual relations, number of sexual partners, contraception, age at first intercourse, and sexually transmitted diseases among 2,596 Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults aged 35-74. Differences in sexual behaviors were somewhat related to ethnicity and acculturation but were more strongly…

Describes investigation examining factors that distinguish between sexually active adolescents who are at risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and those who are at lower risk for these outcomes. Suggests factors associated with sexual risk taking include low GPA, frequent alcohol consumption, and low levels of parental…

Female college freshmen (n=240) in Brazil answered questions on sexuality. Most revealed satisfactory development in most of aspects surveyed and in their relationships with their parents except where sexual issues were concerned. Most students reported menstrual disturbances, and significant number of sexually active respondents reported…

Discusses the development of public schools as centers for social and health services. Identifies the at-risk population and describes a variety of intervention programs. Envisions a comprehensive, centralized scheme at the city or county level to serve the needs of disadvantaged students and their families. (DM)

Summarizes that sexual activity was strongly associated with age, knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, and attitudes toward sexuality. Positive affective responsiveness in the family was associated with sexual activity and number of sexual partners. Use of contraceptives was negatively related to affective involvement between parents.…

Reports on research with four focus groups of 17-year-old girls of different education levels, about their need, expectations, and attitudes concerning contraceptives. Determined: (1) the school physician is not the person they want to seek help from; (2) peer influence is very important; and (3) girls expect confidentiality from their family…