The 'causes' of teenage pregnancy: review of South African research - Part 2

This article forms the second of a two-part series in which South African research on teenage pregnancy is reviewed. Part 1 of the series dealt with the consequences of teenage pregnancy; this paper reviews the 'causes' thereof. International literature is incorporated in the discussion by way of comparison. Contributory factors which have been investigated by South African researchers include: reproductive ignorance; the earlier occurrence of menarche; risktaking behaviour; psychological problems; peer influence; co-ercive sexual relations; dysfunctional family patterns; poor health services; socio-economic status; the breakdown of cultural traditions; and the cultural value placed on children. Preston-Whyte and colleagues present a revisionist argument, stating that early pregnancy may represent a rational life choice for certain adolescent women. The article is concluded with comments on methodological problems encountered in the South African research, and a discussion on the implications in terms of policy formulation

Personality traits as predictors of sexual attitudes in a sample of Greek University students

Previous studies have shown the relation of dogmatism to political, religious and racial attitudes, but few have explored if this finding can be extended generally to sexual attitudes. This study explored if the findings can be extended to sexual attitudes by examining if religious fundamentalism, political conservatism, years of education, age and geographic immobility could predict (1) sexual attitudes and (2) early sexual experience. The sample (N = 215) consisted of undergraduates from a public university in Greece. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict sexual attitudes (using the Attitude Scale of the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory) and early sexual experience (age of first coital experience). The results suggested that religious fundamentalism and political conservatism were significant predictors of conservative sexual attitudes. Political conservatism was also a significant predictor of earlier sexual experience. The results did not support the assumption that politically conservative students will have a delayed sexual involvement. They suggested that while political conservatives hold more traditional sexual attitudes, they do not necessarily report behaviour that is consistent with these attitudes. © 2012 Taylor & Francis

MYTHS ABOUT PUBLIC WELFARE: POVERTY, FAMILY INSTABILITY, AND TEEN ILLEGITIMACY

To rationalize federal cutbacks in spending for public welfare, President Reagan charged that public welfare programs are responsible for leading to a "national tragedy involving family breakdown, teen-age illegitimacy and worsening poverty." Yet analysis of 1980 and 1982 census data for the 50 states suggests that if this is so, it is because of low, not high, spending for public welfare. While low state spending for public welfare is predictive of high teen illegitimacy rates and directly linked to high state poverty and divorce rates, higher state spending for public welfare is predictive of lower teen birth rates, and linked to lower rates of family breakup and poverty. Despite limitations inherent in the analysis, the findings challenge the contention that spending for public welfare contributes to family breakup, teen illegitimacy and poverty. Copyright 1989 by The Policy Studies Organization.