Research findings are presented on birth control methods and usage; unwanted children; and the effects of family size, birth order and social class on the child. (NH)

A sample of 130 pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers was surveyed via a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire to determine the factors that discriminate between girls who become pregnant in early versus late adolescence. Dating patterns, extent of parental control, and knowledge and use of birth control were among the areas surveyed.…

Provides overview of laws, policies, and regulations available to women to secure their job rights when faced with sex discrimination. Equal pay, sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and affirmative action are discussed, noting procedures involved in filing a complaint. (EJS)

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)

Issues surrounding the controversial topic of in vitro fertilization and artificial manipulation of reproduction are discussed. The author examines the moral and ethical implications and presents results of a survey of various religious groups. (SA)

Reviews literature on teenage abortion seekers. Suggests and tests a theoretical model designed to predict whether a low-income pregnant teenager will decide to abort or to deliver her baby. Concludes that age and socioemotional variables are the strongest predictive elements in the model. (GC)

Examined the relationship among employment preferences, child care arrangements of mothers of young children, and fertility expectations. Findings indicated that future fertility expectations were influenced by: (1) whether mothers wanted to be employed, given adequate child care, and (2) by whether they currently used regular child care. (Author)

Investigated developmental consequences of adolescent childbearing in 60 low-income, pregnant adolescents and a low-income control group of pregnant adult women. Racial and age influences were investigated. Adolescents did not differ from controls on emotionality; a significant age by race interaction was found for depression. (Author/DB)

A study on the reasons given by college and high school women for not having premarital sexual intercourse found that the most common reasons included: (1) not having met the right person; (2) not feeling ready; and (3) moral or religious beliefs. (JN)

Presents an historical perspective of the public view of marijuana and examines current empirical research concerning the consequences of marijuana use on the human fetus. Included are 1979 university survey results which explore respondents' knowledge about the effects of marijuana and the relationship this has to the mass media. (Author)

Quotes the antidiscrimination provisions of Title VII, describes some relevant court decisions, and discusses the relevance of the courts' actions to school officials facing a decision when a qualified teacher who is three or four months pregnant applies for a position or comes up for reappointment in April. (Author/MLF)

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)

Implications of Title VII for dealing with sex discrimination are discussed. It is suggested that the impact should not be assessed purely in terms of visible change but in the changed perspectives that women have begun to assume as to their own potentials. (LBH)

Examined cardiac response and ratings of subjective aversiveness to recordings of unfamiliar infant cries in 60 primiparous women at 32 weeks' gestation. Mothers who prenatally rated the crying recordings as more aversive postnatally described their infants as more fussy and unpredictable. Women who showed greater cardiac acceleration to the cries…

Assessed whether the timing of prenatal care related to low birth weight delivery, adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors. Data on births to white and African American women showed no benefits for early initiation of prenatal care in reducing the risk of low birth weight.(SM)