Young Latinas need our attention now

“Latina teens have the highest rate of attempted suicide of any adolescent group ”” roughly 15%. Why? They are often caught between the conservative values of their parents and the freewheeling ways of contemporary society. They end up feeling isolated and hopeless. Mental health care isn’t always an option because of financial constraints, limited bilingual resources and the stigma it carries.

A teen pregnancy epidemic envelops these same girls, and Latinas fare the worst among ethnic groups. About half will become pregnant before age 20.

About two-thirds of Latino teens are children of immigrants, likely to be raised in traditionally Catholic households where birth control and abortion are taboo. These young Latinas also face confusing identity issues; they’re expected to fulfill customary gender roles ”” helping their parents, tending to siblings.”

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