[Development of partner relations in very young mothers]

A study was made on the development of partner relationships among adolescent mothers over a period of two years from the day of delivery onwards. From ascertained that there was still "definite marriage intention" or that the partners were interviewed at the maternity ward of the Rostock County Hospital and their data was compared with that of a control group of primiparae mothers (delivery age: 20-22y.). 73% of the partnerships of adolescent mothers with the child's father that existed at the time of delivery were still in existence two years later. In 83% of these cases we ascertained that there was still "definite marriage intention" or that the partners were already married. Concerning marriage attitudes we found significant differences between the two age groups but not, however, concerning their marriage intention. The motives for and against getting married are compared and contrasted.