Argues that adoption should be included in strategies to help children, teen parents, and other women with difficult pregnancies because adolescents are not equipped to raise children. Discusses the need for longitudinal research on adoption, adoption education in secondary schools, and studying mass media impact on adoption. (FMW)

Examines issues of gangs and youth violence. Provides statistics and other information on weapons in schools, crime in schools, gang effects on truancy and dropout rates, gang activity, appeal of membership, recruitment, ethnic groups, new gang types (white Supremist and "stoner" gangs and Satanic cults), preventive efforts, and community…

Describes work being done by National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP), which gains its inspiration from both traditional sources and contemporary models of youth development and which draws upon Indian heritage to address problems of alienation, dropouts, delinquency, and substance abuse. Contrasts traditional parenting to present patterns…

Describes the hardships of six, highly intelligent young women, at risk during adolescence, at different stages in their lives. All six managed to perform at an adequate academic level throughout their difficulties allowing their problems to go unnoticed. Suggests that support groups would help these types of students. (MKA)

Assessed exit status of older Missouri youths leaving out-of-home care. Found that most exited in unplanned ways, without employment or high school diploma. The most common living arrangement was with relatives. The number of placements and high school completion predicted employment status. High school completion or noncompletion was associated…

Describes how the author connects with today's adolescent readers by means of laughter and literature. Claims young adult literature can facilitate the growth of empathy and provide an impetus for adolescents to transcend the isolation modern culture engenders. (NH)

Refutes Alfie Kohn's criticisms of modern character education programs in the February 1997 "Kappan." The basic structure of true "for character" education relies on an approach relevant for students of all ages, has been time-tested over 2,500 years, has broad public support, and has a valid research base. Kohn advocates…

Examined whether the Abecedarian Project affected young adult crime. Found no effects of program on crime. Comparison with other early-intervention programs suggests that reducing boys' delinquency is possible without improving school performance, improving school performance does not guarantee youth crime reductions, and working with parents on…

This report reviews a massive body of research on where, when, and how much youth violence occurs, what causes it, and which of today's many preventive strategies are genuinely effective. It reviews violence from a developmental perspective and reflects on the responsibilities and spirit of the Surgeon General's public health mission to protect…

It is argued that a reductive definition of cultural wealth, the unwarranted equation of education and schooling, and a narrow conception of the aim and functions of schools have given rise to a false sense of security about what is transmitted as the country's cultural heritage. (SLD)

Describes Juvenile Peer Court--a middle ground between school-centered sanctions and juvenile court. Notes that juveniles who decline Peer Court or who do not complete their ordered sanctions are referred to formal prosecution in juvenile court. (SR)

Reviews types of reported problems among African American youth exposed to violence and victimization. A substantial number of African American youth reported being exposed to direct victimization while in transit to and from school. Discusses the impact of violence on mental health status, in that subjects exposed to violence exhibited…

A problem that has an impact on many segments of our society today can be traced to unwed adolescent girls giving birth. This article details the consequences such births have on our nation as a whole, and explores ways to prevent the pregnancies rather than merely offering up more coping solutions once teenage girls become pregnant. (BF)

This study assessed the impact of a prevention program on the growth of delinquency from 13 to 16 years of age and examined whether its impact operated through a chain of events compatible with many developmental models. Analysis showed that the program had an indirect effect on the growth of delinquency from 13 to 16 years of age. (Author)

Examined the prevalence of eligibility for educational services for serious emotional disturbance (SED) among incarcerated youths, as well as how this designation relates to offender type. Logistic regression was used to understand whether youths with SED designations were likely to be incarcerated for violent offenses. SED status was not…