RESUMO
PIP: A largely ignored issue, Central America faces its most pressing problem in its soaring population growth, one that is wreaking havoc on its economic and social infrastructures. Rising by a factor of 7, Central America's population -- presently 28.9 million -- is expected to reach 7.7 million by the year 2000, and 62.8 million by 2025. Typical of most of the Third World, Central America's population explosion stems from the fact that while the latter half of the 20th century has seen reductions of mortality rates, brought on by improvements of general health conditions, birth rates have remained excessively high. Despite moderate declines in the birth rate, Central American women still average 3-6 children. These demographic factors pose catastrophic consequences for Central America's natural resources, urban development and labor force. And they also threaten to increase migration to the US. Economic pressures have put great demands on the region's rain forests, exploited both for its resources and cleared away to create farmland. Today, only 40% of the original forest remains, and almost 3% more is destroyed annually. The area's capital cities have seen their populations increase 3-6 fold between 1950 and 1980. This explosion places further demands on already overburdened urban infrastructures, and has led to a mushrooming of squatter settlements. It has also led to a massive increase in the urban labor force which cannot be accommodated by the region's economies, which are in disarray due to falling export commodity earnings, limited natural resources, and scant investment capital. The economic woes could further increase the flow of workers to the US (15-20% of El Salvador's total population has already filed to the US). Historically, the region had attempted to offset population growth through economic development, but such expectations were not met, especially with the economic decline that wiped out gains made during the 1960s and 70s. Only recently have the countries acknowledged the need to halt population growth.^ieng
Assuntos
Comércio , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Economia , Emigração e Imigração , Emprego , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Características da Família , Dinâmica Populacional , Crescimento Demográfico , Urbanização , América , América Central , Demografia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Meio Ambiente , Geografia , Mão de Obra em Saúde , América do Norte , População , Árvores , População UrbanaRESUMO
PIP: A fertility study was carried out by the Chilean Association for Protection of the Family (APROFA) in metropolitan Chile in 1989 to update data from the most recent fertility study in 1974. A random and self-weighted sample of 600 women aged 15-44 in 32 urban communes of the metropolitan region were interviewed in November 1989. 55% were married or in stable consensual unions, 39.1% were single, and 5.9% were separated, divorced, or widowed. 24.1% had primary educations, 15.5% had some form of higher education, and .2% were illiterate. 64.2% of the women had children, of whom 63.8% had 1 or 2. Only 2.1% had 6 or more children. 46.2% felt that the ideal family size was 1-2 children and 30.7% that it was 3 children. 40.4% of women with children wanted another child and 59.6% did not. 25.1% of the sample had never had sexual relations, 7.3% had not had sexual relations in the 12 months prior to the interview, and the remaining 67.6% were sexually active. At the time of the survey 6.1% were pregnant and 11.1% had had a birth in the preceding 12 months. 28.3% of these pregnancies were considered unwanted, usually for economic reasons or because the family was considered complete. 55.6% of the sample reported using contraceptives. 48.6% used IUDs, 26.0% used oral contraceptives, 6.9% periodic abstinence methods, and 1.8% barrier methods. Only 7.5% of women aged 15-19 used contraception. Rates of use stabilized after age 25 at about 72%. 80.9% of women married or in union used a method, as did 20.2% of single and 59.3% of separated or divorced women. The data for the survey are still under analysis and all statistics are provisional.^ieng
Assuntos
Coeficiente de Natalidade , Comportamento Contraceptivo , Escolaridade , Características da Família , Estado Civil , Gravidez não Desejada , Comportamento Sexual , População Urbana , América , Comportamento , Chile , Anticoncepção , Demografia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Serviços de Planejamento Familiar , Fertilidade , América Latina , Casamento , População , Características da População , Dinâmica Populacional , Classe Social , Fatores Socioeconômicos , América do SulRESUMO
PIP: Data on sexual attitudes and conduct focus mainly on university populations and other student groups. A survey of sexual attitudes and conduct was administered to 128 upper middle class women, 218 lower middle class women, and 41 poor women in Peru who were mothers. The average age was 35.2, 30.8, and 28.1, and the average number of children was 2.5, 3.5, and 4.0, respectively for each group of mothers. The mean age at menarche was 12.3, 13.8, and 13.6 respectively; this difference was attributed to differences in nutrition. The mean age at 1st intercourse was 21.0, 18.9, and 17.4, and the mean age at 1st pregnancy was 23.2, 21.3, and 19.5 respectively. Thus, there is a direct relationship to socioeconomic status for these last 2 categories. Notably, 52% of the women from a low socioeconomic status became pregnant during adolescence. The respective self-reported use of contraception ranged from 100% among upper middle class women to 72% and 40% for the other groups of mothers. A majority of women in the upper middle class and lower middle class groups believe that men should not engage in premarital sex. A large majority of women in all 3 groups are opposed to legalized abortion. The % of women who believe that abortion should never be allowed under any circumstances was 42.8%, 71.9%, and 60% respectively, and an additional 57.2%, 18.8% and 32.0% respectively would only allow abortion when the mother's health is at risk. The ideal number of children was 3 in all 3 groups.^ieng
Assuntos
Aborto Induzido , Atitude , Coleta de Dados , Características da Família , Serviços de Planejamento Familiar , Casamento , Idade Materna , Menarca , Gravidez na Adolescência , Comportamento Sexual , Classe Social , Direitos da Mulher , Fatores Etários , América , Comportamento , Demografia , Países Desenvolvidos , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Fertilidade , América Latina , Menstruação , Pais , Peru , População , Características da População , Dinâmica Populacional , Psicologia , Reprodução , Pesquisa , Estudos de Amostragem , Fatores Socioeconômicos , América do SulRESUMO
PIP: An attempt to systematize variables or factors traditionally associated with fertility, this study is not intended as a theoretical framework. 2 periods in Costa Rican fertility are recognized: one before 1960 and one after 1960. Within these periods 4 stages, each with different "key" determinants, are recognized. Until 1960, high fertility rates prevailed, with more than 6 children as total. Fluctuations were due to voluntary factors such as nuptiality and breastfeeding, and involuntary factors such as demand for less children during economic recession. Between 1960 and 1975 fertility declined. It is believed that the "key" factors in this fertility decline were on the contraceptive "offert" side rather than on the children demand side. The participation of peasants and low socioeconomic groups in the fertility decline and governmental health and family planning services are also recognized as important factors. Since the mid 70's a new stage of relative stability has been reached with an apparent convergence towards a total fertility of 3 children. How close this level is reached in the near future will depend on the control of unwanted fertility. The possibility of a 2nd fertility decline in Costa Rica depends mainly on factors which determine why couples have a 3rd child. Consequently, investigation of these factors is suggested to anticipate the future course of Costa Rican fertility. Basic fertility data are given in tables and an appendix.^ieng