Programs developed in response to teen pregnancies

This paper describes programs developed in response to the dramatic rise in adolescent pregnancies and births during the past 15 years. In the main, these programs are targeted to reduce pregnancies among the teen population, as well as to teach teen mothers positive parenting and health care practices. The emphasis on parenting skills arose due to the fact that low-birth-weight and premature children tend to occur in large numbers in teen populations and that these children are at risk for child abuse and neglect. Primary prevention programs are designed, e.g., within school clinics that dispense contraceptives, and are among the most successful of the newer movements in the field. Greater attention currently is given to the teen father. An ideal program is presented and recommended for widespread adoption because the United States continues to experience large numbers of adolescent pregnancies.     

Language: The convergence of developmental interactions

Language arises out of the infant-caregiver's nonverbal communication patterns. These patterns are transactional in nature and are in part stimulated by genetically based fixed-action patterns of the infant. Child-rearing practices of the caregiver greatly influence the rate and nature of infant's language development and later measures of achievement, particularly IQ scores. Marked differences in child-rearing patterns are found among social class, ethnic and racial groups. Means of facilitating an infant's development are discussed.