Erika E Atienzo1, Lourdes Campero1, Ana Lilia Lozada2, Cristina Herrera3. 1. Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 2. Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 3. Programa Interdisciplinario de Estudios de la Mujer, Centro de Estudios Sociológicos, El Colegio de México, México.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore adolescents' intentions related to the early formation of a family. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a survey to students in eight schools in Morelos and Mexico City, in 2010. We analyzed intentions of marrying or having a child and fitted an exploratory path model to assess predictors of the intentions of having a child before the age of 20 (n=2974). RESULTS: Around 77% of adolescents expect to have their first child at 20 years or later; 21% show ambivalence or incongruence regarding this, whereas 2% expect to have a child before the age of 20. Parents' expectations for their child's education influence the importance that adolescents give to education. The latter promotes the idea of postponing childbearing until 20 years or later (β=0.13). CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent early pregnancies, interventions and programs should encourage the construction of personal and professional goals.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore adolescents' intentions related to the early formation of a family. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a survey to students in eight schools in Morelos and Mexico City, in 2010. We analyzed intentions of marrying or having a child and fitted an exploratory path model to assess predictors of the intentions of having a child before the age of 20 (n=2974). RESULTS: Around 77% of adolescents expect to have their first child at 20 years or later; 21% show ambivalence or incongruence regarding this, whereas 2% expect to have a child before the age of 20. Parents' expectations for their child's education influence the importance that adolescents give to education. The latter promotes the idea of postponing childbearing until 20 years or later (β=0.13). CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent early pregnancies, interventions and programs should encourage the construction of personal and professional goals.