Latina Issues

What do we mean by Latina Issues? Issues that empower you, your family, and your community. Education is power, and here we try to educate you, so you can make the right life decisions.

On this page we hope not only to enlighten you but others too. Although these issues may not directly affect you they possibly could affect the people around you. With this in mind we want Latinas around the world to help LATINAS inc.com educate others who might not have access to our website or the Internet itself.

We hope you find our LATINA ISSUES page informative and interesting. If you have any important issues that you would like us to expose please feel free to E-mail them to us at acp@latinasinc.com

Breast Cancer Among Latinas.

Studies conducted on ethnic groups show that breast cancer in Latin women is the most commonly occurring cancer. Even though the mortality rate for Latin women with cancer is lower than other ethnic groups, studies indicate that the mortality rate is on the rise. According to statistics, Latinas are estimated to be the largest minority population by the year 2000. Based on studies in New Mexico by the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, "over the 30 year period 1958-1987, mortality rates increased 86 percent among Latin women (from 10.2 to 18.6 percent per 100,000) compared with a 35 percent increase in non-Latin white women. Other studies show that Latinas are at an increased risk of late-stage breast cancer.

Latinos & Aids

Latinos in the United States include a diverse mixture of ethnic groups and cultures. With more than 25 million Latinos, the United States has the fifth largest Latin population in the world, following Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Colombia. Although Latinos represent an estimated 10% of the total U.S. population, they account for 18% of the 641,086 AIDS cases reported in the United States through December 1997.

In 1997, 60,634 new AIDS cases were reported to CDC. Of these, 12,466 (21%) occurred among Latinos. The AIDS incidence rate (the number of new cases of a disease that occurs during a specific time period) among Latinos was 37.7 per 100,000 population in 1997, almost 4 times the rate for whites (10.4 per 100,000) and almost half the rate of African Americans (83.7 per 100,000 population).

A recent CDC study examined data from the 25 states that had integrated HIV and AIDS surveillance from January 1994 through June 1997. This study showed that HIV diagnoses increased 10% among Latinos between 1995 and 1996 (the most recent year for which overall trends can be examined). However, the number of cases reported among Latinos was relatively small, since many states with large Latino populations have not implemented integrated HIV and AIDS reporting and were not included in the study. At the same time, HIV diagnoses declined slightly among African Americans (-3%) and among whites (-2%) in these states. Of the 7,200 young people ages 13-24 years who were diagnosed with HIV from January 1994 to June 1997, 5% were Latinos.

Latinas & Education

Latinos and Latinas continue to be highly underrepresented at all levels of higher education. While Latinos make up more than 9 per cent of the U.S. population, they make up 6.6 percent of all college students. A nationwide survey by the Office of Minorities in Higher Education at the American Council of Education shows that high school completion rates for Latino males is lowest among all groups at 52 percent, compared to 63 percent for Latinas, 75 percent for African Americans, and 82 percent for whites. While the ACE study shows that the numbers are up for Latinos, relative to the explosive growth in their population, the numbers are actually down. The reasons for Latinas attending college at very low rates are very complex, with multiple causes. For college-age women, there are gender role pressures. They're expected to be at home and help out at home - especially in working-class homes - to help with the siblings. Latino families are protective of the girls, and monitored closely. Girls have to balance between school, family and work. Additionally, Latinas lack role models, mentors, advisors, counseling, have little money (inadequate financial aid) and many times are first-generation students. The reasons that Latinas fall by the wayside at the higher levels of education is that "When people speak of Latinos, they're speaking of the males. When people speak of women, they're speaking of white women. The Latina is not accounted for, or considered, and falls through the cracks. Latinas going to college at higher rates than Latinos is a trend Puerto Rican researchers have been aware of for at least five years.

While the numbers of Latinas enrolled in doctoral programs is climbing, the numbers are still low. Now is the time for women [to take advantage of educational opportunities]. These are different times. Right now, it is women who are active politically and in community organizations. A recent study by the University of California at Los Angeles Graduate School of Education shows that Chicanas constitute only .7 percent for the 91,837 women who receive doctorates between 1980 and 1990.

Population

The population of Latinas has risen dramatically over the past decade in the United States. The number of Latinas age 16 and over rose from 3.9 million in 1977 to 6.7 million in 1988--a 70 percent increase. The largest subgroup was women of Mexican origin (3.8 million), followed by women of Puerto Rican origin (894,000) and Cuban origin (432,000). The remaining 1.5 million were of other Spanish descent. The fertility rate of Latinas in 1987 was significantly higher than that of women not of Hispanic origin - 95.8 total births per 1,000 women 18 to 44 years old as compared with 68.8 per 1,000 women, respectively. This high fertility rate stems partially from the fact that 71 percent of the non institutional population of Latinas is between the primary childbearing ages of 16 to 44. Therefore, we can expect the overall Latino population to continue to grow at a rapid rate.

MEDIAN AGE--The median age of Latinas was only 26.1 years in March 1988. Overall, Latinas are younger than Black and White women whose median ages are 28.5 years and 31.2 years, respectively. Cuban women are the only exception. With a median age rapidly approaching 40 years (39.0 years), they are generally an older group. This higher median age could result from an aging Cuban population, lower child birth rates and the fact that there has been little immigration of Cubans to the United States in recent years.

Teen Pregnancy

The following is the study of adolescent pregnancy among Chicanas i.e. Mexican-Americans within the United States. While it is increasingly important to study the spectrum of racial groups categorized as "Hispanic" and/or "Latina", information to date fails to discuss these groups in depth. In fact, severely limited information on women of color and reproductive issues exists. And, of that which does exist, Chicanas are the most frequently studied group of all groups within the ethnic categories Hispanic and Latina. Hence the selection and limitations of this site.

Population and Birthrates

Essentially no matter where you look, reports identify the Hispanic population as an increasingly growing population within the United States. According to statistical reports such as the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Division of Vital Statistics Births of Hispanic Origin, 1989-95, we learn that from 1989 to 1995, the Hispanic population experienced an increase of 25 percent, as the number of infants born to this group went from 532,249 in 1989 to 679,768 in 1995. This increase in births accounted for 18 percent of the total births in the nation (during 1995), while in years prior Latinas accounted for only 13 percent (Matthew's et al., 1998). Due to improvements in living conditions, increased access to health care, as well as high fertility rates, numbers are soaring-- especially among Chicanas.

Chicanas accounted for "sixty-nine percent of Latina births in 1995", which has been attributed to high incidences as well as increases in fertility. For example, Chicanas of all ages have the highest rates of fertility in comparison to all Latina subgroups. In fact when age of mother is considered, with the exception of women 10-14 years of age, we again find birth rates "are higher for Latinas as a group and for Mexican women than either white or black non-Latin women" (Matthew's et al., 1998). And for teens specifically, Chicana teenagers (between 15 years of age and 19) for the first time exceeded the birth rates of African-American adolescents in 1995. Hence, we can conclude that fertility rates are highest for Latinas and specifically Chicana women and teens, in comparison to other major ethnic groups and Latina subgroups within the U.S.

Sexual Knowledge and Activity

Reproductive knowledge increases with acculturation, social economic status, and educational achievement. The more schooling one has, the more likely they are to know about their body and how to care for it. In addition, the more educated one becomes, the more likely s/he will know about birth control methods and options. Yet, in addition to these findings, factors such as cultural traits also influence the level of knowledge or lack of knowledge one possesses about sex and contraceptives.

For Chicanas, sexual knowledge is limited. Due to cultural stigmas regarding sex, referred to by researchers as "sexual silence", families and individuals shy away from discussing sex and sexuality with their partners as well as family members. The belief that sex is taboo restricts conversations and information sharing from occurring. Or, when conversations do take place, frequently the messages expressed are vague and or inaccurate. For example, few mothers of the Mexican-American adolescents provide their daughters with specific information about sex... Most of the Mexican-American adolescents received no instruction whatsoever from their parents regarding sexual behavior.

Sexual silence within Chicano communities manifests itself in several ways. In addition to interfering with communication about sex, the silence and stigma attached to it sends messages to teens that sex is shameful. And, in the case of having sex and using birth control, which is viewed by the majority of teens as pre planned sex, it is doubly so. Therefore, it is not surprising to learn, that for a majority of sexually active Chicano teens, did not use birth control, though they had knowledge about one or more types of contraceptives.

In short, Chicanas generally know less about their body than non-Latina youth. They are plagued with the disastrous disease of sexual silence, which leads to limited knowledge and use of birth control. In addition, low social economic status contributes to lack of access to health care and preventive health care-- including annual examines. Yet, not all findings about Chicana teens and sex are this disheartening.

Chicana teens contrast greatly to non-Latina whites in many areas. Aside from negative realities such as being less knowledgeable about sex, Chicanas are also characterized as having limited sexual experience, a tendency to be involved with only one partner, and infrequent sexual intercourse. In addition, this group differs from other pregnant teens in that:

The majority of the Mexican-American adolescents became pregnant in the context of a long term relationship that continued after pregnancy for most of them... Most Mexican-American adolescents shared close emotional bonds with the baby's father, who often responded positively to the pregnancy... Cultural differences in relation to family bonds and responsibility for the young appeared to result in a far more stable and supportive relationship with the baby's father.

Utilization of Prenatal and Family Planning Services

The number of Chicanas without medical insurance in this country is devastating. The majority of Chicanas do not have insurance or are underinsured. Government programs make up the most common form of insurance Chicanas and Latinas possess, which have budget stipulations as well as various other problems. However, the more educated and financially stable the individual is, and or if she is married, the more likely she will have insurance and use medical care facilities.

A List of Correlates to Teen Pregnancy

A number of correlates have been determined for teen pregnancy and teen pregnancy among Chicanas. Yet it should be stated that a great difference lies between causes and correlates. Please do not be mistaken by the following, they are a partial list of correlates not causes.

Chicano/Latino Age Structure: We are a young population that is in or will be entering our reproductive years.
Cultural Importance of Children: Some women are not viewed as women until they become mothers. Also, yearning to have children in response to gender roles and responsibilities.
Power and Relationships: Difficulties within intimate relationships where a pregnancy is sought to keep a relationship together and inability to refuse sex or sex without protection. Love and unsafe sex acceptance within long term monogamous relationships.
Sexual Activity: In general, Chicanas are becoming sexually active earlier than before.
Prevalence of Teen Pregnancy Within The Family
Low Contraceptive Use
Low Use of Family Planning Services

Alcoholism

In Latino cultural and social celebrations, it is customary to have alcoholic beverages for the purpose of relaxation, to forget about problems, or to "just have fun." This fact of alcohol in cultural and social events is not only true for Latinos, but for American culture as well. However, the fact remains that alcohol is one of the leading causes of deaths. In many cases it is not the drinker who usually dies, but an innocent victim who came into the path of a drunk driver. Furthermore, studies indicate that 40 % of Latino men age 18-39 drink less frequently but in higher quantities compared to other races/ethnicities. Also, alcohol consumption has changed from being for social events to everyday use. This is a result from psychological distress of an individual. Alcohol use and abuse constitutes a crisis for the Latino community in that, although alcohol can lead to significant health problems, it can also affect family and social interactions. The effects of alcohol abuse can prove costly for the individual, family, and society as a whole.

Patterns in Latino Community

On the average, Latinos start to use alcohol at a younger age (usually 18 years old) than any other race/ethnicity. Many factors determine alcohol consumption by Latinos. The first factor is acculturation to U.S. society. This acculturation is in reference to the normalcy of drinking at a club, bar, or at a party. Latinos have more of an opportunity to drink at such events or locations. In general, population studies show that drinking varies across social settings, and there is a relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and setting. This setting does reflect the amount of consumption between more and less acculturated Latinos. Less-acculturated Latinos are less likely to be at bars, clubs, and parties. They are more likely to drink at home alone.

Effects of Alcohol

Physiological effects

Liver cirrhosis
Acts as a central nervous depressant
Inhibits gluconeogenisis
Cardiovascular effects such as strokes and heart disease
Vasodilatation
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Metabolic acidosis
Gastrointestinal effects

Social Effects

The physiological effects such as liver cirrhosis, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease are considered health problems for Latinos as a result of diet. The consumption of alcohol only increases the chances of becoming susceptible to these illnesses. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for Latinos.

Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually which makes it the third cause of mortality in the United States. It also is a factor in 45.1% of all fatal traffic accidents and one-fifth of all crashes involving injury. There was a total of 2,452 youths ranging from the ages of 15-20 who died in alcohol-related crashes in 1992.

Another impact of alcohol abuse can be felt within the confines of the person's family. The family of an individual who drinks alcohol can be affected in terms of well-being and family cohesiveness. Adolescents view parents as significant confidants and support when they have problems because parents play an important role in the development of adolescents. Research indicates that parents who take in interest in nurturing and giving guidance to their children decrease the probability that they will select friends who use alcohol and other illicit drugs (Windle, 1996). It also establishes a criterion for adolescents in distinguishing healthy from unhealthy chooses.

Parents who drink can have a drastic effect on the parent-child relationship and in turn effect the development of their children. It is estimated that about 40% percent of maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect) are prevalent in families who have an alcoholic parent(s). While intoxicated, some parents may become more or less tolerant of their child's inability to perform household chores and can lead to child abuse. In 13% percent of child abuse cases, the perpetrator was intoxicated at the time of the attack.

In many cases, having an alcoholic parent(s) may increase the chance that the child (children) will follow the same roles in life. For adolescents who are exposed to parental drinking, intention and perception of alcohol use is seen as a positive activity. Also, parents who use alcohol as self-medication tend to give the same ideology to the child that alcohol can solve problems. This may contribute to more frequent and serious alcohol use within the framework of coping with problems during adolescence. Parent's role in guiding their children is an important process in that it leads to better decision making, choosing better health practices and better relations within the family.