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.