A multivariate analysis of interstate variation in fertility of teenage girls

Abstract

A multiple regression model was used to determine the correlates of state-to-state variation in fertility of teenage girls. The independent variables were the abortion-to-live birth ratio, contraception/conception ratio, racial composition, adult personal income, percent urban population, and adult educational attainment. The model explained 69 percent of the interstate variation in 1974 fertility. Both the racial composition and the abortion ratio were significantly (p