Latina Births

On Feb. 12 staff writer Melissa Healy called for comments on figures released by the National Center for Health Statistics on soaring birthrates among young Latinas. I told her that I was not familiar with the report and could not speak to the report unless I knew more.

On Feb. 13 I was presented with her article, “Latina Teens Defy Decline in Birthrates.” I was shocked to see my name and comments attributed to me. Particularly disconcerting were those that I did not even voice. I found the inference to (Latinos’) preference for large families particularly offensive. This did not come from me; clearly, the issue was early childbearing and not family size. Also, no reference was made by me to the Catholic Church and contraceptive use. If I were asked about contraceptive use I would have mentioned such variables as different types, access, knowledge or lack thereof, compliance issues and placed them in the context of adolescent developmental stages.

At NATEEN we do not stereotype or stigmatize our teen moms. We support them and their partners to be the best they can be as individuals and as parents.

CHIYO MANIWA

Project NATEEN

Los Angeles