ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the impact of teen pregnancy on the education of black adolescents and examines the scope of the problem, the social context of black teen pregnancy, and its consequences. It discusses the several effective approaches to teenage pregnancy prevention, including sex/family life education, school-based health clinics, life skills, school retention, and self-esteen enhancement. The program is conducted by facilitators who instruct the participants in a curriculum that includes such life management skills as sexuality, self-esteem building and career planning, and covers substance and child abuse and teen suicide. A widely held myth is that the only function of such clinics is to provide contraceptives to teenagers. Social problem causes, consequences, and solutions have been debated in the private and public arenas by legislators, policy advocates, social scientists, child welfare experts, educators, and, notably, in the mass media. Teen pregnancy among blacks must be placed within the context of changing sexual norms in American society.
