Adolescent fertility, union and upbringing: a new scenario in Latin America

Abstract

Reproduction during adolescence bypassing union formation is on the rise in the region. This carries an increase of teen mothers who remain living in their family household. In principle, single motherhood seems to have adverse effects. However, staying in the parental household can make up, at least partially, for child upbringing without a partner. The magnitude of this family support, as well as the support features and variability according to socioeconomic stratum, have seldom been objects of study with a comparative approach in the region. Thus, this paper updates figures and describes trends in single teenage motherhood, as well as “dependent” teenage motherhood (without the formation of a new household); and assesses the effect of this fertility on the teenager’s and baby’s socioeconomic indicators, compared to the traditional teenage motherhood (with new household formation)