This article examines associations among parenting, parent-child relationships, and children's exposure to sexual possibility situations. African American families (N = 310) with preadotescent children were interviewed regarding parenting, parent-child relations, and demographic history. Children were interviewed privately about their exposure to sexual possibility situations. Results revealed marginal effects of child gender as well as effects of parent education and parent employment on children's exposure to sexual possibility situations. An interaction effect indicated that parenting support may be a protective factor against exposure to sexual possibility situations, among children whose mothers were adolescents at the time of their 1st childbirth.Adolescent sexual risk taking (e.g., unprotected sexual intercourse) is of increasing concern as a result of the risk of HIV/AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC; 1994), growing numbers of adolescents (i.e., 13-19 years of age) are contracting AIDS from heterosexual contact. These rates are higher for older youth (i.e., 20-24 years of age), and, because of the incubation period of 8 to 10 years for HIV, the rates indicate that risky sexual contact probably occurred at an earlier age (CDC, 1994). Closer examination of HTV/AIDS rates indicates that females are at higher risk for AIDS through heterosexual contact than males and that African Americans are at greater risk than other racial groups. Female African Americans experience the greatest risk for HIV/AIDS

onolace term of exasperation; but the truth is that the things'these "kids" are doint hese days -smoking, drinking, taking drugs, and fooling around with guns -are risky behaviors that can have devastating effects on their future health and well-being. And the risks are especially high for minority youths. Health-Promoting and Health-Compromising Behaviors AmongMinority Adolescents, edited by Dawn K. Wilson, James K Rodrigue, and Wendell C. Taylor is a comprehensive guide to understanding the special pressures that minority youths face, the difficulties they have in getting access to health care, the need for culturally-sensitive understanding, and finally and most importantly, to designing intervention plans that can reach them and guide them into more healthful behaviors.The book brings together a wealth of theories, findings, and practical suggestions from researchers and clinicians who have extensive experience in this area. A rich blend of theory, research, advocacy and pragmatism, this book will be a valued resource for health professionals, psychologists, teachers, community leaders -anyone concerned with the health and well-being of minority youth.

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