The effects of early childbearing on womens status in Barbados.

A sample of 303 young Barbadian women who gave birth in 1983/84 to their first child when they were under age 20 years were surveyed eight years later. The follow-up sample included 40 percent of the original cohort. Interviews in the womens homes assessed their fertility and relationship history sources of support and relation with the "child-father" and the long-term effects of special family planning counseling which they had received in 1983/84. Five questions were addressed: [(1)] Would women under age 18 at first birth differ from those who were 18 or 19? [(2)] Would the mothers or fathers characteristics be associated with the childs performance in school? [(3)] Would the initial treatment and control groups differ in terms of fertility history or other characteristics of the mother? [(4)] Would mothers higher education prior to the birth of the first child be associated with better outcomes for mother and child? [(5)] What proportion of women categorized themselves as female household heads and according to what criteria? How do these women differ from others? (excerpt)