Abstract
This paper takes a look at the adolescent sexual and reproductive behavior in Africa and the increasing incidents of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. It also discusses the suffering caused by childhood marriage and immediate post pubertal childbearing in females as young as 10 years of age.

Contents
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Behavior in Africa
Early Childbearing in Africa
Health Risks for Adolescents with Sexual Activity and Childbearing
Social and Economic Risks of Early Childbearing
What Can be Done?

From the Paper
"Contributing to both problems is the manner in which adolescent sexual activity in the region is changing. Aside from the fertility issue, Dijamba noted that most young women in Kinshasa, subject of a study by Dijamba, now engage in sporadic, nonsteady types of relationships, despite the fact that premarital chastity was still widely accepted as the norm, at least in Congo (Pillai & Barton, 1998). Dijamba noted that "exposure to mass media, formal education, delay in marriage, and other changes in social and economic environment may have reduced the role that traditional norms and values play on female socialization and union formation" (2003, p. 237+).
Dijamba affirmed the high rate of premarital sexual activity in developing counties is of concern because of the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). UNICEF (2002) provides the information that 5.2 million people acquire HIV each year, with more than half being young people between ages 15 and 25. In addition, a UNAIDS (2002) report noted that the situation is "more alarming in Africa, a continent that is home to 70% of the adults and 80% of the children living with HIV in the world today" (quoted by Kiragu and Zabin, 1998, p. 210+)."

Tags:gender, Kiragu, Zabin, sexual, activity, postpartum, morbidity, health, risks, adolescent, mothers

From the Paper
"Introduction
The patterns of childbearing in the United States have been changing in recent years along with the general demographic picture of the country, and the seasonality of childbearing throughout the life cycle has been shifting because of a number of forces. One of these is the aging of the population, coupled with major shifts in the emphasis women place on careers. The entire pattern of family structure in the U.S. has been in a state of flux as divorce rates increase, out-of-wedlock births increase, and patterns of work change as both husband and wife tend more and more to work outside the home, altering the timing of births and birth decisions for families. In the past, the seasonality of childbearing was more stable and clearly delineated, with women of a certain age marrying and starting..."

Abstract
The paper relates that the field of adolescent developmental psychology is not a value-free domain of inquiry. The paper discusses how a fascinating but overlooked article, Merrick's (1995) "Adolescent childbearing as career 'choice': Perspective from an ecological context" makes explicit some of the race- and class-specific dogma still masquerading as objective inquiry in this field, and offers a much-needed ecological alternative to what might be called positivistic developmental psychology.

From the Paper
"This paper summarizes and critiques Merrick's (1995) "Adolescent Childbearing as Career `Choice': Perspective from an Ecological Context." The field of adolescent developmental psychology is not a value-free domain of inquiry. A fascinating but overlooked article, Merrick's (1995) "Adolescent Childbearing as Career `Choice': Perspective from an Ecological Context" makes explicit some of the race- and class-specific dogma still masquerading as objective inquiry in this field, and offers a..."

Tags:developmental, psychology, review

Abstract
This paper investigates a case of a young woman, complaining of an offensive and fishy-smelling, abnormal vaginal discharge, whose tests and examinations revealed bacterial vaginosis (BV). Next, the author discusses the literature regarding the types of BV, the risk factors, symptoms, the diagnosis, diagnostic tests and treatment. The paper underscores the problems of recurrence, recommends the best approach to prevent this and reviews the problems chronic BV creates with pregnancy.

Table of Contents:
Case Study
Discussion
Vaginal Discharge
Bacterial Vaginosis
Types I and II BV
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Diagnostic Tests
pH Level
Wet Smears
Gram Stain Criteria
Management/Treatment
Recurrence of BV
Tinidazole
Sexual Transmission
Efficacy of Human Lactobacilli
Metronidazole Gel
Best Approach
BV and Pregnancy

From the Paper
'The Centers for Disease and Control or CDC noted the causal links among BV and plasma-cell endometritis, post-partum fever, and posthhysterectomy vaginal-cuff cellulites. They advised treating asymptomatic women before a hysterectomy or termination of pregnancy in order to prevent post-procedure infections. A review on BV and preterm labor suggested that treating high-risk women for preterm birth could reduce chances of low birth weight and preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes.
'A small randomized control study investigated the efficacy of the intake of live L acidophilus culture on women with BV. Only 20 of the respondents had recurrent BV. They were asked to eat yogurt with the cultures. They yielded 50% reduction of BV and an increase in vaginal Lactobacillus. In 2002, the Association of Genitourinary Medicine and the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases issued guidelines on the management of BV. Practitioners should take the patient's detailed history and make sure the clinical findings support the diagnosis. They should listen emphatically to the patient instead of blaming her for the failure. They should take her detailed history again. Then they should conduct another detailed history of her sexual and perineal cleaning habits.'

Tags:metronidazole, differential diagnoses, sexual intercourse, guidelines lactobacilli

Abstract
In this article, the writer explains that the term "sandwich generation" refers to people who are caring for their own children while also taking responsibility for the care and maintenance of their elderly parents. The writer discusses that members of the sandwich generation are generally baby boomers, and this phenomenon is largely due to the impact of delayed childbearing on life patterns. The writer notes that the traditional sandwich arrangement is when children are still in the home and elderly parents have moved in, placing the middle generation in the role of dual caretaker. The writer discusses that the trend of delayed childbearing and greater life expectancies means that successive generations are likely to feel greater dual-caregiving obligations.

From the Paper
"Furthermore, caregiving provides benefits to the caregiver, especially when the caregiving burden is not too demanding, which characterizes the majority of middle-aged caregiving relationships.
"There is no question that some middle-aged people are called upon to be caregivers for their adult parents while still caring for minor children or adult children still living in the home, the idea of a sandwich generation is a bit of a misnomer. The vast majority of baby boomers are not caring for elderly parents. Instead, some members of the generation seem to be taking on a disproportionate amount of the responsibility for the elderly in the generation above the boomers. However, it seems likely that these people are also reaping disproportionate benefits, as caregiving, despite all of its stresses, seems to improve overall quality of life for the caregivers. Instead of considering the boomers the sandwich generation, it might be more helpful to picture them as returning to an older tradition that involved multiple generations in the family home, rather than the relative isolation of the nuclear family."

Tags:childbearing, care, parents, children

Abstract
This essay asserts that in the broader issue of reproductive rights, pro-life strategists apply a double standard when it comes to minorities and their reproductive rights. The paper maintains that when the focus is changed from abortion to broader reproductive freedom, the pro-life advocates apply race and class criteria that distinguish between the rights of white, middle-class women and low-income women of color. The paper further asserts that pro-life activists advocate policies that discourage childbearing by depriving low-income women of the means to support a child and that the pro-life movement has sought to discourage women on welfare from becoming pregnant by punishing them when they bear children.

From the Paper
"These policies designed to control the child-bearing of poor women are but the latest in a series of practices that date back to the eugenics movement of the 19th century, which promoted, racial theories of "fitness" and "unfitness." During this time of a significantly declining birth rate within the white population, politicians and eugenicists raised the specter of white "race suicide." The eugenics movement, which was adopted briefly by the birth control movement in the early 20th century, advocated a higher birthrate for white, middle class, "fit" women and a lower birthrate (aided by birth control) for poor women, especially poor "unfit" women of color and immigrant women."

Tags:middle, upper, class, white, bear, children, immigrant, childbearing, welfare, mothers

Abstract
Delayed childbirth is a changing trend in parenting consisting of the decision to put off pregnancy until one is 35 years of age or older. This paper examines the phenomena of delayed childbirth. The topics discussed in the paper include: factors influencing delayed childbirth; the advantages of delayed childbearing; the disadvantages of delayed childbearing; various pregnancy outcomes associated with delayed childbirth and nursing interventions designed to assist mature women in increasing their chances of having healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

From the Paper
"In their discussion of disadvantages associated with delayed childbirth, the March of Dimes (1995) reports that women over 35 becoming pregnant for the first time are at increased risk for infertility and miscarriage, gestational diabetes, bleeding complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean section, and for chromosomal abnormalities and growth retardation in babies. Rates of premature delivery and stillbirth are also said to increase, as does the chance of having multiple births (e.g., twins, triplets or higher order births). It is further noted that since about half of all pregnancies for all women in the United States are not intended, including in women over 35, it is very important that all women of reproductive capacity follow guidelines to promote reproductive health and pregnancy."

Tags:feminist, infertility, Nulliparous, preterm

Abstract
Teenage pregnancy and childbearing are key factors leading teenage mothers into disadvantaged lives. This paper discusses the negative effects of pregnancy on a teenager's life. It looks at how this effects a teenager's family life, education, social life, and the future prospect for the baby.

From the Paper
"Women who give birth as teenagers share many similarities prior to becoming pregnant in terms of family background, racial/ethnic profile and education (Bissel, 2000). These factors will attempt to present fundamental issues related to teen pregnancy and childbearing (Bissel, 2000). The consequences of teenage pregnancy and childbearing in the lives of young women in five different countries will be examined as well (Bissel, 2000)."

Tags:babies, early, teenagers, years, birth, child, abuse

Abstract
This paper discusses the topic of allopathic medicine or modern medicine. It examines how the allopathic approach to medicine has shown itself to be more kill than cure and how a change is desperately needed. It shows how modern allopathic medicine oppresses women and treats childbearing and childhood as a pathology and in general it takes a terrible toll with unnecessary and even dangerous techniques. It argues how modern medicine is in collusion with the pharmaceutical and insurance industries to create a system of profit rather than health and how the only effective alternative is to turn back to natural cures, to proper nutrition and diet and a holistic approach to healing.

From the Paper
"While women are far more likely to have unnecessary surgeries (other than circumcision) performed on them, allopathic medicine's rush to operate is nearly criminal in all cases. In a review of New York hospitals, 43% of hysterectomies reviewed were shown to be unnecessary. Mendelsohn records that the most conservative estimates suggest that about 2.4 million unnecessary surgeries are performed every year. The number is likely far higher than that when one takes into account that even "officially" necessary surgeries may not always be the best choice. Men as well as women suffer in this regard. Doctors overprescribe pharmaceutical medicines designed to treat rather than to cure. They also perform hosts of unnecessary surgeries. Even surgeries that may seem necessary are no guarantees. For example, according to Smith's research, there is no difference in long term survival between those with cardiac problems who agree to undergo surgery (and survive it) and those who do not undergo surgery."

Tags:child, birth, circumcision, surgery, nutrition, diet

Abstract
Quinceanera, Confirmation, Bat Mitzvah and Female Castration ceremonies are all part of the modern world and all mark the change in a young girl's life to that of a woman. A Quinceanera is the celebration of a girls fifteenth birthday. Once the spiritual ceremony is over the girl moves on to the social part of the Quinceanera. At the age of fifteen the girl is no longer a child. At the age of 12 girls become obligated to observe the commandments. The ceremony marks the time in a girl's life when she is ready for womanhood and marriage. For girls, these rites have traditionally prepared them for marriage and sexual activity (childbearing) within the marriage context.

Tags:quinceanera, other, rites