Responses of seventh grade students to "do you have a partner with whom you would like to have a baby?"

This study investigated differences in demographic data, self-esteem, and c oping skills for 225 students in Grade 7 who reported having a partner with whom they wanted to have a baby and 946 students who did not. Data were co llected on the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Family Crisis-oriented Pers onal Evaluation Scale, and questions related to attitudes towards teen preg nancy and demographic data. The sample included 548 (46.8%) boys and 624 (5 3.2%) girls whose mean age was 13.2 yr. Students with a partner had signifi cantly lower scores on the curriculum questions, self-esteem, and family co ping skills, combined with higher scores in passivity. They indicated a des ire to have a greater number of children, beginning by having their first c hild at a younger age and believed that having a baby improves a couple's r elationship. Possible approaches may include effective teaching methods to overcome passivity through boosting seif-confidence, goal-setting, and acqu iring a purpose in life besides parenting a child.