Theorical and Empirical Considerations of the Teenage Fertility

Abstract

This article makes a theorical and empirical review of the determinants of teenage fertility. Thus the main variables considered are the socioeconomic status, women-headed families, education level, women’s employment, use of family planning, abortion, among others. In empirical evidence is observed that teenage fertility rate and single mothers in Colombia has been increasing during last ten years, reaching similar levels to the seventies. In addition to this rise, during recent years the sexual activity in teenagers has been raise, as well as a relatively low constant use of modern contraceptives. Additionally, in Latin American and the Caribbean there is a heterogeneous be- havior between the levels and trends of the teenage fertility; and in countries with highest level of development, rates of teenage pregnancy, birth, abortion and sexually transmitted diseases have been low with the exception of United States.