As more unmarried couples become parents, it is important to understand the dynamics that help these couples to maintain strong relationships. This article explores the association of the two partners' beliefs about father involvement with their likelihood of union dissolution and transition to marriage, using the first two waves of the Fragile…

Harold I. Lief, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and Ernest van den Haag, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Social Philosophies, New York University debate the question of the appropriateness of sex education in the schools. (BY)

Based on a longitudinal survey of first parity, mostly Black mothers in New York City, examines the coping strategies of unmarried mothers. Analyzes the expansion of role responsibilities and support systems utilized and discusses the relationship between support systems and subsequent fertility. Presents three case studies. (Author/GC)

This survey research assessed the perception of teen mothers relating to their nurturing/parenting role. The research was designed to identify sources that teen mothers feel they can turn to for help and to give teen mothers the opportunity to voice their opinions. Following a review of the literature on the history of nurturing, teen pregnancy,…

Qualitative study of 30 employed single mothers replicated previous findings of challenges in managing shortages of time, money, and energy. Revealed serious concerns about failure to meet perceived family and societal expectations for living in "normal" family with 2 parents. Behavior subjects perceived to be expected of single parents…

Investigates the relationship between adolescent mothers' (N=24) self-esteem and their knowledge of parenting skills. Findings indicate that self-esteem is a good indicator of the adolescent mother's parenting. Significant correlations arose between the mother's baseline self-esteem and her knowledge about role reversal, empathy, developmental…

Queried unmarried adolescent fathers (N=28) about their readiness for fatherhood. Found that readiness increased as their mate's pregnancy advanced and that males who had had longer prepregnancy relationships with their mates tended to be more supportive of them prenatally. Most adolescent fathers planned to work to help support their infants.…

Fifty Caucasian, never-married single mothers aged 18-30, who had opted to keep their babies, were studied longitudinally from the last trimester of pregnancy through the first three years of their children's lives in order to learn the extent to which they had reinterpreted traditional roles and responsibilities and had restructured their lives.…

This article describes a procedure for group discussion between parents and adolescents on matters of human sexuality. (DB)

This guide, one of a series of Education for Parenthood manuals developed for use in Salvation Army demonstration programs, outlines a course for pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers in residential centers. The 4-day-a-week program, with sessions of 1 to 2 hours, was planned to fit school and work schedules of residents. Weekly schedules…

This report describes a pilot project that is investigating the childrearing practices of individuals who have chosen living arrangements different from the traditional two-parent family. Alternative life styles include these groups: (1) unmarried parents who live together, (2) single or unwed mothers, and (3) participants in communes. Depth…

Cleveland's Comprehensive School-Age Parenting Program focuses on the following: (1) providing preventive health education to give middle school students a sense of identity and self-awareness; (2) preventing the mother from dropping out; and (3) helping the father cope with the situation and remain in school. (PS)

New studies demonstrate that many teen marriages are more resilient than had previously been believed; current policies promote single parenthood for teen mothers in the face of very little systemic information about young fathers and their potential for being providers, husbands, or parents. Marriage is a feasible option for many pregnant…

This parenting guide for teenage parents of infants and toddlers incorporates numerous comments from 61 teenage parents who chose to stay in school after the birth of their child. Specific problems confronting young parents are addressed. These problems include single parenthood, early marriage, and the advantages and disadvantages of living with…

This book describes an action research program in a child welfare agency. The purpose of the program was to evaluate agency services and to disseminate agency thinking and experimenting to other social workers. In the introduction (Part I) the development of the research project is briefly outlined. In Part II the areas in which research was…