NCJ Number
209955
Date Published
2004
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This report presents comprehensive information on Latino youth affecting their fertility, as well as provides a context for the information collected.
Abstract
In recent years, the United States Latino population has grown significantly and continues to grow rapidly. One of the most important issues facing the Latino community is the high adolescent pregnancy and childbearing rates. In addition, Latinos experience high rates of poverty, lower educational levels, and less access to health insurance and health care. Obtained from a number of sources, this report compiled key demographic information in regards to the lives of Latino adolescents that affect their fertility. In order to provide meaning to the percentages, rates, and trends presented, the many works of scholars from a variety of disciplines with different perspectives were drawn upon. In order to provide a better understanding of the reasons for the current situations facing Latino adolescents, a combination of statistics, and sociological, psychosocial, anthropological, and other research approaches were undertaken. The report is divided into seven chapters and includes the areas of population, immigration, education, family, access to health insurance and healthcare, sexual behavior, pregnancy and birth, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. There is an increased need to understand the risk factors that influence Latino adolescents’ lives in order to accelerate the downward trend in adolescent parenthood among this population. Figures and references