Hypothesizes that nonmarital fertility is more likely when children are seen as an important source of social capital. Data from the first two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households finds support for these views. Concludes that understanding increases in nonmarital fertility requires an appreciation of the social benefits that…

Examines existing studies on adolescents' decision making about adoption and parenting and proposes some theoretical and methodological considerations for future investigations. Concluded that this issue has been inadequately researched and that most of the literature does not consider the capacity of adolescents to make decisions. (LLL)

Discusses the research on young, unmarried fathers, and emphasizes the need to understand more about the phenomenon of out-of-wedlock childbearing and the relationship of this phenomenon to poverty and welfare recipiency. (PCB)

Discusses the research on illegitimacy in the United States and welfare's role in promoting it. The author examines where analysts agree and disagree in the debate and concludes with a discussion concerning black illegitimacy rates compared with the rise in welfare payment amounts. (GLR)

This publication examines in detail the problem of teenage pregnancy in South Carolina. Following the executive summary and a listing of eight recommendations based on the report, chapter 1 presents tables of selected vital statistics related to teen pregnancy in South Carolina. All statistics are shown by county and by Department of Health and…

Every year one million teenage girls become pregnant. Eight out of 10 are unintended pregnancies. Primarily targeting pregnant teenagers, this book address many of the different issues and decisions that a pregnant teenager must face. Letters supplement text to highlight feelings of pregnant teens and provide advice from friends, counselors, and…

Like the "scientific" approaches of craniometry and eugenics, Herrnstein and Murray's methods and arguments reveal an ideological position not only on African Americans but also on the role of women. Points out their focus on women in discussions of "illegitimacy," birth control, and parenting, and their targeting of poor…

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major mental health disorder that affects at least 13 percent of new mothers and has detrimental consequences for populations that are of concern to social workers, such as low-income women, women of color, young women, and single mothers. Despite the relevance of PPD to multiple social work problems and…

Examines the literature regarding the increase in teenage parenthood and its consequences for the teenagers, their education, and society. Concludes that teenage mothers have high rates of welfare dependence, and suggests that moves toward prevention or job training will not succeed until the economic situation of women is improved. (LLL)

Focusing on developmental factors that highlight the broad social context and the psychosocial issues, this article discusses adolescent mothers' varying identity struggles regarding the maternal role that contribute to their attitudes toward mothering and how they approach their relationships with their children. Discusses implications of this…

Those interested in critical, feminist, and anti-racist pedagogy are on a search for means to counter dominant ways of speaking about stigmatized groups. Some see promise in popular theater, which starts from the experience of those on the margins. This ethnographic study followed 12 teen mothers, a highly stereotyped group, as they wrote and…

Reviews literature on intervention programs for adolescent mothers. Focuses on specific goals: minimizing obstetrical complications, fostering positive parent-child interactions, reducing social isolation and maximizing support, and eliminating repeat out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Reports that all programs reviewed displayed moderate success, and…

These brochures explain briefly the importance of establishing paternity for unwed mothers. By establishing paternity and enforcing child support orders, fathers can be required to help raise their child legally and financially. The brochures consist of two separate sheets. "For Your Child's Sake...Establish Paternity" presents several…

Nonmarital intercourse among teenagers rose during the early 1970s. Biological, social, and psychological variables are associated with both early nonmarital coitus and contraceptive behaviors; effects of adolescent childbearing tend to be minor when appropriate statistical techniques are used to control for the impact of socioeconomic status and…

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…