CHANGING THE STAGGERING STATISTICS OF LATINA TEEN PREGNANCY

Between 2005 and 2006 there was a 3 percent increase in teen birth rates, unfortunately Latinas have the highest teen birth and pregnancy rate of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Nearly 53 percent of Latinas get pregnant at least once before their 20th birthday.

These startling statistics are courtesy of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. This organization has recently developed, The Latino Initiative.

The Latino Initiative’s mission is to reduce the persistently high teen pregnancy and birth rates and in doing so improve the lives and future prospects of children and families, according to the Latino Initiative’s Web site.

By why are these numbers so high for such a specific demographic?

Teen Pregnancy Rates by Race/Ethnicity, 1990-2004

Graph provided courtesy of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Latino Initiative.
The organization suggests four possibilities.

According to the organization, Latina teens commonly have sexual partners that are four or more years older. However, teens with older partners are less likely to use contraception and thus more likely to get pregnant, also according to the organization.

Another possibility for the high pregnancy rate is that Latino teens are also less likely to use contraception such as condoms, according to a 2008 presentation from the organization.

Sexually active teens who reported that they used a condom the last time they had sex

Graph provided courtesy of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Latino Initiative.
Other factors include acculturation, or adapting to another culture amidst generation and language barriers, as well as ineffective parent-teen communication. Roughly 75 percent of Latino teen boys and girls said that parents send varying messages to their sons and daughters about this issue, according to the organization.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to decrease the rate of Latina teen pregnancy to only 2 out of 10 teens by 2015.

To reach this goal, the organization has outlined five steps; 1. Conduct an environmental scan, 2. Build capacity and partnerships with guidance of Latino Initiative Advisory Group, 3. Strengthen the research base for action, 4. Offer technical assistance and provide resources for parents, teens, and communities, 5. Reach out to key organizations and sectors, including policymakers, faith leaders, and media, also according to the presentation.

No teen wants to end up with this fate and every teen deserves to have a hopeful and meaningful future. Teens want to learn more information about methods of protection in order to ensure a successful future.

According to the organization, 84 percent of Latino teens report either graduating from college or a career is the most important goal for the future and 70 percent of teens want more information about abstinence and contraception.

But in order for this initiative to be successful, it requires effort from everyone in the community. The community needs to believe in the Latino youth and encourage them to be dedicated to their future as well as involve parents in the lives of their teens, according to the organization. It is also critical to appreciate the diversity of the Latino community and recognize that these statistics do not and cannot be applied to every individual.

This data is frightening. These young girls are only 15 years old to 19 years old.

This is a vital issue; not only are the futures of these teen girls at stake but so are the futures of these children.

By providing more information, resources and aid for this specific demographic, this organization has taken large strides to impede the rise in these statistics.