This paper focuses on the causes, consequences and prevention of the alarming number of pregnancies among black teenagers. Teenage pregnancy is a symptom of the failure to have one's basic spiritual, intellectual/emotional, and physical needs met. Unmet infantile needs cause adolescents to search for romantic relationships in which they can…

Argues that cohesion is a measure of supportive interactions and that enmeshment is a measure of psychological control. In a study of children and adolescents, cohesion was associated negatively with both internalizing and externalizing adolescent problem behaviors. Enmeshment was related positively with youth problems, and more strongly with…

Sexual assault is a trauma that affects the entire family as well as the individuals involved. It is a social disease that alters human development and the ability to relate to others. Without treatment, the effects of abuse can progressively undermine and overwhelm all areas of both the abused individual's and the family's functioning. This book…

Children and adolescents are prone to develop a range of social problems in family and peer relationships, mental health, substance abuse, and school performance. With a reduction in support available to them in many family environments, peer relationships become increasingly important. A number of the social problems children and adolescents face…

Pressures that may cause stress in children and adolescents are discussed. Shifting family paterns due to divorce or working parents, stressful situations at day care centers, busy schedules during adolescence, test anxiety at school, and watching violence on television all can increase stress for today's children. (PP)