THE RELATION BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM, SEXUAL-ACTIVITY, AND PREGNANCY

This study examined self-esteem in relation to sexual behaviors which often result in teen pregnancy. A sample of 141 male and 172 female ad olescents of racial diversity was surveyed to elicit levels of self-es teem, sexual activity, pregnancy and fatherhood status. The Coopersmit h Self-Esteem Inventory was used as well to elicit qualitative data ab out self-esteem, demographics, and sexual activity. Analysis revealed no differences in the self-esteem of males vs. females. Further, sexua l activity or virginity was not related to self-esteem in either males or females. Pregnant teens did not have different levels of self-este em from the nonpregnant. However, males who had fathered a child had l ower self-esteem than did nonfathers. The findings support a multifocu sed approach to sex education for pregnancy prevention and also emphas ize a need to include males in both pregnancy prevention efforts as we ll as in further research on teen pregnancy.