Two aspects of teenage fertility are examined in this paper: (1) teenage fertility, in general, does not follow the conventional family formation process in which conception follows marriage; and (2) there are considerable differences between White and non-White teenagers in proportions either pregnant outside of marriage or single at delivery.…

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)

Meetings between black unwed expectant schoolgirls and black and white adoptive parents and social workers are discussed. (NH)

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)

In this paper the case of Andrews vs Drew, Mississippi School District et al. is discussed in terms of the decision that women may be employed as school teachers in spite of the fact that they are unwed mothers. Implications for women's rights in general are examined. (WI)

Measured psychological sequelae to induced abortion among women pregnant out of wedlock, using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and questions specific to willingness to repeat abortion under similar circumstances. Analyses indicated no relation between objective and subjective indicators. Affectivity after induced abortion had…

Analyzing data from 1,033 African American mothers, results indicate that household income, time on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and number of children are the strongest predictor of nonmarriage. The conclusions support previous findings that never-married mothers suffer more economic hardship than formerly married mothers. (JPS)

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…

Parental support and conflictive relationships in 48 black and white adolescent mothers (ages 14-19) were examined when their babies were 3 months old. Self-esteem and supportive relationships with fathers were negatively associated with depressive symptomatology among adolescent mothers. Differences in parental relationships and racial…

A large sample of single mothers was surveyed to compare Black attitudes and White attitudes toward having children. Finds that Black single mothers find a greater degree of satisfaction in parenting than do White single mothers. Suggests that White mothers look elsewhere for life satisfactions. (DM)

Examines risk factors for childhood homicides using data for Ohio-born children less than eight years of age killed between 1979 and 1986. Among the factors increasing risks were low birthweight, being Black, and having a mother who was teenage, unwed, or not a high school graduate. Other supports in the child's environment may reduce these risks.…

This study was conducted to test the following notions: (1) blacks are less committed to the norm of legitimacy and; (2) black women have less reason and desire than white women to marry--whether or not they are unmarried mothers. The data are drawn from a questionnaire administered to 704 obstetrical patients, 81 percent of whom were black.…

The fertility rate for the 12 months ending in June 1988 was an estimated 69.7 births per 1,000 women aged 18 to 44 years. Fertility rates during the 1980s have been stable. The statistics on childbearing and birth expectations of U.S. women contained in the detailed tables of this report are based on data collected in the June 1988 supplement to…

This study explored the differences between African American and Latina female adolescents who desire to become pregnant and those who do not. Five hundred and thirty-one sexually experienced, never pregnant adolescents completed surveys containing questions about demographics, sexual behavior and contraceptive use, sexual and contraceptive…