As a Mexican woman who immigrated to America in her late
teens, I’m here to tell you that a lot! It’s
no secret that Catholicism is the predominant religion in Mexico, and this is
even more salient in its smaller towns. I,
like most immigrants coming from Mexico, grew up in one of those small towns,
and I learned early on from my parents and in school that if I wanted to make
it to heaven there was a list of things I would have to follow, and contraceptive
use was not on the list. Imagine my surprise when more than half of the girls I
was meeting in school were on birth control!
Research shows that young Hispanic women are less likely to use contraception compared to non-Hispanic white women (1). The less acculturated Hispanic women are less likely to use any methods of contraception. However bicultural women, those that have adopted some of the American culture, are more likely than the high and low acculturation groups to report not using contraception (2,3). Although this last finding is surprising because one would assume that a higher level of acculturation would correlate with contraception use, it is important to consider that many of these women still hold onto some of their traditional values, especially if their families oppose this sexual behavior, and therefore lack appropriate guidance.
There are many factors that can influence Hispanic women to avoid using contraception, but I think it is important, when considering culture, to consider religion and how much that influences our behavior.
Research shows that young Hispanic women are less likely to use contraception compared to non-Hispanic white women (1). The less acculturated Hispanic women are less likely to use any methods of contraception. However bicultural women, those that have adopted some of the American culture, are more likely than the high and low acculturation groups to report not using contraception (2,3). Although this last finding is surprising because one would assume that a higher level of acculturation would correlate with contraception use, it is important to consider that many of these women still hold onto some of their traditional values, especially if their families oppose this sexual behavior, and therefore lack appropriate guidance.
There are many factors that can influence Hispanic women to avoid using contraception, but I think it is important, when considering culture, to consider religion and how much that influences our behavior.
Maria Soledad Menchaca DUCOM 2019
1.Gavin L, MacKay AP, Brown K,
Harrier S, Ventura SJ, Kann L, et al. Sexual and reproductive health of persons
aged 10—24 years - United States, 2002—2007. MMWR Surv Summ. 2009;58:1–58.
2. Unger JB, Molina GB. Acculturation and
attitudes about contraceptive use among Latina women. Health Care for
Women International. 2000;21:235–249.
3. Jones ME, Bond ML, Gardner SH, Hernandez
MC. A call to action: Acculturation level and family-planning patterns of
Hispanic immigrant women. MCN. The American Journal of Maternal/Child
Nursing. 2002;27(1):26–33.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.