In an effort to determine some of the causes of unwed pregnancy we went directly to the girls by questionnaire. One hundred-fifty girls residing in the four maternity homes in Los Angeles were subjected to the questionnaire and the results tabulated by computer. Our findings suggest that the unwed pregnant teen-age girl possesses limited sex knowledge. Her pregnancy results from a feeling of deep emotional involvement with the putative father. With the onset of her pregnancy, the girl will confide this knowledge to the alleged father and her parents. The latter, when possible, will respond with both moral and financial assistance. This study further suggests that early dating, lack of proper sex education, and lack of parental supervision are significant factors in the causation of unwed pregnancy. In view of our findings, the importance of such related factors as broken homes, psychiatric illness, alcohol, and drugs in unwed pregnancy should be reviewed. © 1969.
