A Comparison of Black and White Adolescents' Beliefs about Having Children

Abstract

This research compares the beliefs perceptions and decisions of 150 black adolescents with those of 150 white adolescents as they are related to having children. Responses to a 35 item inventory were factor analyzed and subjected to multi- and univariate analysis of variance. From the numerous findings it was concluded that both black males and females expressed stronger beliefs than comparable white respondents about the promotion of greater marital success personal security and approval from others through having children. Black respondents also expressed stronger beliefs that couples should have as many children as they wish. Females of both groups perceived themselves as exposed to stronger social pressures to have children than did males. Both black and white males placed more value on having children a finding for males that has now been replicated in several studies. (Authors modified)