In the Latina community, the teen birth rate is about double that of the National average. Whereas, in 2007, the birth rate among non-Hispanic whites ages 15 to 19 was 27.2 per 1,000, and 64.3 per 1,000 for non-Hispanic black teens in the same age range, the teen birth rate among Hispanic teens ages 15 to 19 was 81.7 per 1,000.
A new survey finds that 84 percent of Latino teens and 91 percent of Latino parents believe that graduating from college or university or having a promising career is the most important goal for a teen's future, and yet, 69% of Latina teen moms drop out of school.
Not surprisingly, the survey highlighted unsafe sex practices as a major reason for teen pregnancy, once again reinforcing that our country's youth deserve comprehensive, medically accurate and age appropriate sex education.
The issue of high teen birth rate in the Latina community is not happening in isolation.
"Despite a rich culture and the growing influence of Hispanics in America, the Latino community disproportionately suffers from troubling social indicators. Consider that fewer than six in 10 Latino adults in the United States have a high school diploma. Latino teens are more likely to drop out than their non-Hispanic counterparts, and of all the children living in poverty, 30 percent are Latino."
Connecticut's racial and ethnic reproductive health disparities are shockingly large. Our state has the highest poverty gap in the country and our teen pregnancy rates reflect what is outlined above. It is time we step up and provide all youth with the information they need to protect themselves and prosper!
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