|
pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: This study reports the results of a survey of 498 respondents in a large mid-western community concerning their attitudes toward making contraceptive services available to teenagers (only 30% of sexually active adolescents make consistent use of contraception), and the manner in which a teenage pregnancy should be resolved. 80.4% of the respondents were in favor of making contraceptives available to teenagers. However, significant differences were found among the different ages and the educational level of those surveyed, as age increased, support of availability decreased, but as education increased, support also increased. Persons without children were also more likely to approve contraceptive services in schools. 70.8% of the respondents felt that it was not necessary to require parental consent. There was considerable variability in the attitudes expressed concerning the resolution of a teenage pregnancy; 26.6% chose adoption, 16.7% picked abortion; 9.3% chose marriage, and 35.2% chose keeping the baby. Significant differences were found between white and black respondents and the single and separated. When attitudes were analyzed by age, the older the respondent, the more likely he/she was to feel that the pregnant teenager should not keep her baby. The same attitudes was evinced by those with higher levels of educational attainment. 40% of the respondents favored abortion, 52.4% were opposed, and 7% were either uncertain or favored abortion only under certain circumstances. Again there were significant differences by race, marital status, age, and educational level. Despite personal reservation concerning abortion, a clear majority of the respondents favored women having the choice, a finding that was consistent across all ages, races, and the majority of educational groups. The results of the survey are discussed in relation to the present strong political conservative movement in the nation.
|
