Resumen : Teenage fertility has being rising since the 90s, which is related to an earlier and faster onset of sexual activity, meanwhile the beginning of marriage (legal marriage or consensual union) do not change. This trend leads to a rising of maternity among single teenagers, with high differences between regions. The patterns of sexual activity, marriage, and maternity, in Bogota and Cali differ by socioeconomic status. Low income teenagers begin sexual relationships, get married and become mothers earlier and faster than those of high income level. The higher teenage maternity among low income girls, is associated to an early onset of sexual relationships as well as an early marriage pattern (legal marriage or consensual union). Although family planning plays an important role in both cities, its use begins after sexual relationships have started. This is based upon teenagers' perception of invulnerability, their unfounded beliefs about secondary effects and their beliefs that family planning methods should not be used during the first sexual relationship (with virgin women).Among the socioeconomic determinants of sexual events (onset of sexual relationships, first pregnancy, first childbirth), the group of contextual factors are the most important ones. Among these factors, family environment and parental control play an important role in teenagers' reproductive behaviour. The study shows the limited effect that sexual education taught at schools since 1993, has had on teenagers' sexual and reproductive behaviour.
Web site : http://economia.uniandes.edu.co/documentocede2004-31.htm