ENROLLMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND THE RISK AND RESOLUTION OF A FIRST PREMARITAL PREGNANCY

Objective. The purpose of this research is to assess the extent to whi ch school enrollment, the continuity of job holding over the past 12 m onths, and wages shape a woman's risk and resolution of a first premar ital conception. Methods. This research draws on eight years (1979-86) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Force Experience (Youth Cohort) and includes information on 4,172 women aged 16-28. The analys is is based on event history and multinomial logistic regression model s as well as interaction models for age and race/ethnicity (Hispanic, black, and white). Results. The risk of a premarital conception is not ably lower for those who are enrolled, although the effect diminishes as women age. Higher wages and longer spells of employment serve to lo wer the risk of conception for whites and Hispanics but not for blacks . Enrollment, higher wages, and longer spells of employment also boost the chances of an abortion relative to a premarital or marital birth. Conclusions. Enrollment and employment experiences are important dete rminants of the risk and resolution of a first premarital pregnancy, a nd further work in this area is warranted.