Examines some of the key issues related to measuring social support and identifies 28 instruments which have been used in research with pregnant adolescents. Defines the major external and internal variables that affect social support and offers relevant questions to guide researchers in the selection of social support instruments. (RJM)

This report discusses the increasing incidence of divorce and unwed parenthood in the United States, arguing that the "divorce revolution" of the last several decades has created terrible hardships for children, generated poverty within families, and burdened the nation with unsupportable social costs. It calls for a fundamental shift in cultural…

For generations American society and educational institutions have considered pregnant and parenting female students as throwaway students. They have been given little consideration or encouragement to stay in school. At times they were not even allowed to attend school. With 80% of teenage mothers never finishing high school, it is vital to look…

Teens Talk is a project conducted to develop peer leadership among pregnant/parenting teens (both male and female) by participation in panels. After training, the panels present information as well as experiences and attitudes to adult community groups to raise awareness and support, to youth groups to prevent teen pregnancy, and to other…

The comparative status of black and white children in America is described in this report, which is divided into two major parts. Part 1 contains an overview of key facts and trends which support the book's main point that the welfare of black children is currently declining, and a proposal for a legislative agenda for the Ninety-ninth Congress,…

The Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Project (TAPP) of San Francisco is a city-wide interagency service system coordinated by the city's Family Service Agency and Unified School District. Clients participate in pre- or post-natal service systems that provide free, personal, and continuous counseling for up to three years. Case managers identify and…

This annotated bibliography, the first of a series of five reports of selected literature included in the ERIC system, three of which have been completed, carries a short review on the causes and characteristics of the school dropout, and of special groups of dropouts listed in the bibliography section. Approximately a third of the annotated list…

The Reading (Pennsylvania) School District, in conjunction with local youth and family services, has developed a program to address the needs of unwed mothers. Its goals are to reduce their dropout rate and to provide support services including child care, transportation, counseling, health care, and instruction in parenthood skills.(TE)

Rates of adolescent childbearing in the United States are two to ten times higher than in comparable industrialized democracies. Some programs and service options that show promise for reducing the incidence of adolescent pregnancy are identified in this paper. It begins by outlining 11 principles derived from available research and from program…

This report presents revised birth and fertility rates for 1991-1999, plus previously published rates for 2000-2001, based on populations consistent with the April 1, 2000 census. Revised rates for Hispanic subgroups are also included. Rates are presented by age, race, and Hispanic origin of mother; by age, race, Hispanic origin, and marital…

Discusses recent court litigation concerning legal rights and responsibilities of pupils covering procedural due process, grooming and appearance, regulation of speech and publications, liability for pupil injuries, and racial integration. (JF)

Examines the relationship of family structure, peer group affiliation, social class, and sex with five dependent variables concerned with attitudes toward dating values, marriage, romanticism, premarital pregnancy, and premarital sexual permissiveness among 85 rural, Black adolescent males and females. Findings suggest general community norms and…

Three measures (Demographic Data, Support System Questionnaires, Michigan Screening Profile of Parenting) compared 28 teen parents (mothers) in a special school program with 27 nonprogram teen parents. Program participants showed more independence; less isolation; more interest in activities, education and work; more realistic expectations of…

Presents an overview of changes in childbearing and fertility-regulating behavior that relate to policy issues concerned with child development and well-being. Discusses developmental consequences of "unwantedness" and adolescent childbearing. Also considers special needs of children in developing countries. (Author/GC)