Adolescent sexual activity: contraception and abortion.

One hundred twenty-five pregnant adolescents 16 years of age or younger and their parents were studied prior to abortion and were compared with 72 nulligravid control subjects. The control group reported less incidence of sexual intercourse and more causal heterosexual relationships of shorter durations. A significantly larger percentage of the abortion group approved of premarital sexual intercourse "when the couple is going steady." Sixty-eight per cent of the adolescents who were seeking abortions had never used a contraceptive. Abortion "on demand" was favored by the majority of the abortion group, whereas the control group favored "abortion under special circumstances." Neither were the pregnant teenagers' parents aware of nor had they discussed their daughter's sexual activities, much less contraception. Prevention of unwanted pregnancies in early adolescence should encompass an educational effort on the part of the health professions, involving both the adolescents and their parents.