This article investigates the reasons why young single girls are keeping their babies far more often than they did a few years ago, and the role of the helping professions in dealing with these young mothers. (BW)

A mid-1970s study of the characteristics of pregnant unmarried mothers who keep their children and those who surrender them for adoption discloses some differences from the characteristics of such mothers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (CM)

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)

Factors that might allow prediction of the unwed mother's decision to keep her child or to surrender it for adoption are examined in this study of 137 white and black clients of a social agency. (NH)

To identify replicable homogeneous subgroups among three samples of unwed mothers a multivariate clustering technique was employed to analyze the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) responses of unwed mothers giving up their babies for adoption (Ns=122 and 127) and unwed mothers keeping their babies (N=47). Three personality…

Examined gender differences in adolescents' personal views about pregnancy resolution and family formation. Surveyed adolescents (n=577) using vignette involving unplanned pregnancy. Findings showed similar percentages of males and females preferred abortion and adoption as strategies for handling pregnancy, but females were more likely to select…

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…

Details creation of Adoption Option, Inc., a public adoption agency founded in 1986 in Ohio. Highlights three program areas of agency's mission: (1) training for those who assist pregnant women/teens with unplanned pregnancies; (2) educational programs for school-based health curricula; and (3) media initiative to convey accurate information about…

Unwed mothers who decide to place their child for adoption were compared, both pre- and post-parturition, with those who chose to keep their child. Women who keep their child have a high ideal self-concept following the birth, and are more conforming and conservative than the women who surrender their child. (Author)

This paper examines adoption statistics from 1969 through 1975 and suggests that two factors contribute to the decline in the number of children adopted during the 1970s: (1) the increased availability of abortion, and (2) the growing propensity of unwed mothers to keep their children. Changes in the pattern of all adoptions, in the number of…

These Congressional Hearings consist of public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice concerning proposed legislation designed to prohibit the sale of children in interstate and foreign commerce. Much of the testimony focuses on the increasingly widespread, marginally legal practices of selling infants…

This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions that adolescents have of adoption. Based on responses given by 175 high school students, the study found that adoption was the least discussed option for pregnancy resolution, and the adoption process was perceived as complicated and of questionable legality. (GLR)

This study investigates decision-making among women with unplanned and unwanted conceptions. Subjects were females younger than 18 years old, who were unmarried at the time that they became pregnant (N=432). Data were obtained by means of questionnaires given to subjects prior to abortion or delivery. Questions concerned involvements of mother,…

Describes two studies of the factors that influence unmarried pregnant adolescents to choose adoption rather than parenthood. Study One examines the effect of perceived parental preference and vocational goals. Study Two examines the effect of perceived parental preference and attained vocational identity status. (FMW)

Examines the developmental, familial, and peer deterrents that form barriers to adoption placement, based on interviews with 17 teen mothers in a residential facility. Analyzes responses based on an Eriksonian developmental model, and notes the role of family "cutoffs" and "re-admissions" and peer pressure as deterrents to…