Teenager Problem
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Nebraska Anthropologist Anthropology, Department of
1-1-1999
Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?
Tina Brown
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebanthro Part of the Anthropology Commons
Brown, Tina, "Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?" (1999). Nebraska Anthropologist. Paper 116. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebanthro/116
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Anthropology, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Anthropologist by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?
Tina Brown
Teen pregnancy (broadened to "premarital pregnancy" for research purposes) was investigated cross-culturally. Using the electronic Human Relations Area Files and literature review, attitudes toward premarital pregnancy, the incidence of premarital pregnancies, and outcomes of premarital pregnancies were compared in "African" and "Eurasian" social systems (as defined by Goody, 1976). Despite considerahle variance, there were no significant differences in approval or disapproval of premarital sex or pregnancy in African and Eurasian systems. There was no difference in incidence rates of premarital pregnancy in African and Eurasian systems; however. not taking marital status into consideration. developing countries have higher rates of adolescent childbearing than developed countries. Outcomes (forced marriage. illegitimate children. abortion. infanticide, or adoption) also did not va!}' significantly in African versus Eurasian s.vstems. African systems were slightly more likely to employ forced marriages or incorporate illegitimate children into the king roup as a result, and paternity
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Nebraska Anthropologist Anthropology, Department of
1-1-1999
Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?
Tina Brown
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebanthro Part of the Anthropology Commons
Brown, Tina, "Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?" (1999). Nebraska Anthropologist. Paper 116. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebanthro/116
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Anthropology, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Anthropologist by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Teen Pregnancy: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon but a Western Problem?
Tina Brown
Teen pregnancy (broadened to "premarital pregnancy" for research purposes) was investigated cross-culturally. Using the electronic Human Relations Area Files and literature review, attitudes toward premarital pregnancy, the incidence of premarital pregnancies, and outcomes of premarital pregnancies were compared in "African" and "Eurasian" social systems (as defined by Goody, 1976). Despite considerahle variance, there were no significant differences in approval or disapproval of premarital sex or pregnancy in African and Eurasian systems. There was no difference in incidence rates of premarital pregnancy in African and Eurasian systems; however. not taking marital status into consideration. developing countries have higher rates of adolescent childbearing than developed countries. Outcomes (forced marriage. illegitimate children. abortion. infanticide, or adoption) also did not va!}' significantly in African versus Eurasian s.vstems. African systems were slightly more likely to employ forced marriages or incorporate illegitimate children into the king roup as a result, and paternity