Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

1999

Thesis Director

Cheryl L. Somers

Abstract

An increasing number of high schools in the United States have begun to use the "Baby Think It Over" doll as part of their curriculum in certain classes. This study examined the effectiveness of this doll on influencing 46 male and female adolescents' attitudes and behaviors regarding pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraceptives. Five specific subscales were developed to measure the teens' contraceptive attitudes and behaviors before and after using the doll regarding their feelings about becoming pregnant, understanding/comprehension of the responsibilities of child-rearing, appreciation of the impact of child-bearing on their lives/future, and attitudes toward premarital sex. Also, a qualitative analysis was conducted on a narrative question which allowed the students to comment on how the doll specifically influenced them. The adolescents' responses indicated that their attitudes on all of the identified subscales did not significantly change after using the doll. Students' responses on the narrative portion indicated that many found the doll to be inconvenient and a responsibility. The doll also appeared to be effective in maintaining and validating previous ideas they had about child-rearing. This study has important implications for practitioners who are attempting to develop effective sex education and child development/parenting curriculum. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are also discussed.

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