ceeded by Australia, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, East Germany, and
Bulgaria.

For behavioral scientists, there is an interest in these phenomena that goes
beyond the intriguing new sexual mores, the personal tragedies, and the societal
costs. First, there is a very puzzling question--why do individuals who do not
want to conceive offspring engage in behavior that is likely to result in concep-
tion? Second, assuming that answers can be found as to the whys of such
inconsistent and maladaptive behavior, we must ask: what can be done about it?

That's what this book is about--the noncontraceptive sexual behavior of
adolescents, the reasons for that behavior, and possible solutions to the problem.

Organized around these three major topics, this book has been written by a
group of concerned individuals (psychologists, a sociologist, and a health educa-
tor) who are directly involved in research and/or applied activities in the area of
adolescent sexuality. The problem is a new one, the search for answers is of
recent origin, and the proposed solutions are only just beginning to emerge. This
book, as a consequence, is the first of its kind--bringing together theory, re-
search, and application on this important contemporary issue. Our hope is that
this collection of original chapters will act to instigate further concentration on
the problem, additional scientific inquiry, and increasingly innovative applica-
tions so that in future decades there will be no need for a book on this topic.

As editors, we wish to thank each contributor for his and her creative efforts.
This volume is obviously a collective product, and any credit must be shared
equally by each person involved. We also wish to express our very special
appreciation to Lawrence Erlbaum for his support of this venture through a
variety of tribulations. Our thanks also to the staff of LEA who contributed to the
final product. Finally, we are grateful to Larry Apple for his early support and for
his suggestion as to the book's title.

Donn Byrne
William A. Fisher

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