Teenage Pregnancy: Opposing Viewpoints

Rezensionen

Grade 7 Up. Presented in an organized, accessible way, this series title addresses a current, controversial topic from a variety of perspectives. The editor explores the extent of the problem, issues related to prevention, and how to reduce its incidence in this country. Each chapter begins with an overview of its topic and previews the opinions presented. A summary of each viewpoint and questions to consider help focus each essay. One of the book's strengths is that it provides readers with views of a problem they may have only considered from a personal standpoint. It is a wonderful tool for critical thinking and will prepare readers to deal with the topic in the general media and for participating in conversation with others. However, it is a weakness that the articles deal with the issue mainly from a policy standpoint and from a national perspective. The minimal inclusion of young adult views is limiting. Some writers do include people's statements of personal experience, but these presentations are secondhand, filtered through adult perceptions and arguments.?Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 9-12. All the arguments are here: poverty causes teen pregnancy, teen pregnancy causes poverty; sex education causes teen pregnancy, lack of sex education causes teen pregnancy; contraceptives prevent teen pregnancy, contraceptives contribute to teen pregnancy; improving welfare benefits will deter teen pregnancy, eliminating welfare benefits will deter teen pregnancy. The startling aspect of this book in the Opposing Viewpoints series is that teen pregnancy continues to be one of the most frustrating issues of our time. There are still no answers--nothing actually appears to be working. As usual in this consistently strong series, the cogent arguments from all perspectives are included as are the cartoons, the snippets of information, the introductory abstract and focus questions for each article, the extensive bibliographies, and the suggested organizations to contact, even a "Questions for Further Discussion" section at the end of the book. The traditional uses for this title--the research project, the debate, the classroom assignment--are obvious, but perhaps its best use will be in true group discussion and individual consideration. Rarely has there been more graphic evidence that teens are totally in control of this issue and that they will decide whether or not to become pregnant, one teenager at a time. Buy this one and push it! Frances Bradburn