Keep or adopt: a study of factors influencing pregnant adolescents' plans for their babies

The 1976 U.S. census lists 235.3 births for every 1,000 unmarried women below the age of nineteen [1]. From these figures it appears that in spite of the availability of contraceptive methods adolescent pregnancy continues to be a problem in this country. It is one problem that has always been of interest to mental health practitioners and fortunately various services are available which provide social, medical and educational support. Several facilities offer comprehensive care, but the services are usually confined to the time of pregnancy and two to three months following the birth. While such services seem appropriate for a large number of young women, for some, however, care is needed for a longer period.