| Abstract: | The negative impact of the increase in sexual activity among teen-agers and the health and life chances of those involved are examined. The barriers to effective contraception by teen-agers, racial differences, and the U.S. experience in relation to that of other countries are discussed. Some of the major topics discussed are: 1) overall fertility rates among teen-agers, 2) legitimate and illegitimate births, 3) marriage among teen-agers, 4) adoption, 5) abortion as an outlet, 6) sexual activity, 7) patterns in conceptions, and 8) patterns of contraceptive practice. Also discussed are: 1) teen-agers and clinical services, 2) health consequences of adolescent childbearing, 3) teen-agers health and sex, 4) child development, 5) life chances for a t een-age mother, 6) consequences for society, and 7) international comparisons. 6 figures and 11 tables are included. |
