Adolescent pregnancy, especially among low income non-white groups, is becoming a matter of increasing concern. Data indicated that pregnancy in the adolescent, especially under age 16, is associated with high incidences of toxemia, anemia, contracted pelvis, prolonged labor, and a high maternal death rate. It is also the largest single reason why…

This paper reports findings from a longitudinal study that investigated ways in which a comprehensive youth development program could support social and academic competence and reduce aggression in middle childhood for students living in public housing. Children residing in public housing complexes in southern California who participated in a 4H…

In a two-phase study, Mexican American male and female adolescents listed positive and negative elements related to preferred partner qualities and engaging in sexual activity; then other Mexican American adolescents classified the items. Results suggest that adolescents' partner preferences and reasons to have sex reflected Mexican American…

Using sociometric ratings, both male and female adolescent deaf students (N=144) were found to exhibit a marked peer preference for female students. White students rated same-race students higher than they rated minority students, while minority students showed no significant difference in ratings for White and minority students. (Author/JDD)

Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes of 220 adolescents with severe emotional disturbances toward AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection found most students knew the main modes of HIV transmission. Student age, race, and gender were related to level of knowledge and attitudes toward people with…

Draws on ethnographic observations, historical sources, and official documents to examine the historical and contemporary connections among the Mexican "secundaria" (junior high school), the broader ideological and political-economic context of Mexican educational development, and concepts of adolescence in both expert discourse and…

A survey and interviews with 372 youth aged 9-16 in rural Northhamptonshire (England) explored children's experiences of rural life. Challenging the image of the idyllic rural childhood, many youth, especially the least affluent and teenagers, felt detached from village life, powerless, and unable to find autonomous social space away from adult…

Although sexual activity is common among teenagers, it is not as widespread, and does not begin as early, as most adults believe. This report provides detailed data and analysis of sex among adolescents. Adolescent sexual activity is grouped in ten categories: (1) Rites of passage; (2) The context of adolescents' lives; (3) Sex among teenagers;…

Directed toward the question of how parents and 15-year-old adolescents cope with the demands of social change occurring during unification in Germany, the comparative investigation of 40 families each in East and West Germany examines macro-social conditions of family relationships and rightist attitudes among German adolescents and adults. The…

This paper presents a portrait of youth in the United States--one that is at odds with media images painting a gloomy picture of a deeply troubled and irresponsible younger generation. Drawing upon numerous studies, Branson states that more students are staying in school longer, fewer drop out before earning a diploma, and fewer young girls become…

This book introduces middle school students to the basic facts of human reproduction and explains the physical, emotional, and social aspects of growing into adolescence. Designed with a structured sequence of six lessons and activities, this module includes teacher scripts, reproducible worksheets, and transparency masters. Lessons cover: (1)…

The philosophical and practical aspects of the retarded citizen's need for a home in the community are discussed in 14 author contributed chapters dealing with people and communities, rights and independence, home and community, services and communities, and action and advocacy. Chapters cover the following topics: "Community Life and Individual…

Nearly 100 Mexican American children and adolescents in grades 2-12 were interviewed in central Texas to determine their understanding of ethnicity and their attitudes toward their own ethnicity. Their responses were interpreted in relation to a developmental model with five stages or "perspectives" in reasoning about ethnicity. The…

This paper examines the role of athletic participation in the social systems of adolescents. Data from 422 high school students and 319 college students indicate there are differences between males and females in all 3 social status measures of remembrance after high school, type of sport participant preferred for a date or friend, and…

Literature review examines common factors contributing to alcohol and other drug use among White and Hispanic youth: sociodemographic and economic risk factors, availability, drug-use attitudes, peer and family influences, and school-related factors. Unique sociocultural factors influencing Hispanic drug use include cultural identification,…