Sociologic aspects of adolescent fertility and childbearing among Hispanics
Smith, P.B.
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Jdbp 7(6): 346-349
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0196-206X PMID: 3805292 DOI: 10.1097/00004703-198612000-00003Document Number: 353997
This paper discusses sociologic factors affecting adolescent pregnancy in U.S. Hispanics in terms of acculturation, prenatal care and pregnancy outcome. Hispanic women aged 15-44 have 48% more births than non-Hispanics. Mexican-Americans have the highest birth rate, 102/1000. Young Hispanics who are less acculturated into the U.S. customs tend to follow their parental norms, marrying early if they become pregnant and carrying their pregnancy to term. Numbers of births to girls under 14 is much lower than those in Blacks. Characteristic of Hispanic adolescents is the very low attendance at prenatal care, probably because pregnancy is not considered an illness in their culture, or because of fear of authority in those with clouded immigration status. Paradoxically, newborns to Hispanic adolescents are less often of low birth weight. Again, this may be a function of underreporting in a more mobile, sometimes undocumented immigrant population. On the other hand, Hispanics value the status of pregnant women, and take steps to insure their food intake. To increase incidence of prenatal care and health care generally, health institutions should find ways to make Hispanics realize their right to education and health care.