Latinas have the second highest teen pregnancy rate (17%), a rate that is almost twice as high as that of white teens. Factors leading to higher teen pregnancy rates among Latinas include lower rates of contraception use and limited knowledge concerning sexuality issues and birth control methods. 49 The consequences of teen pregnancy for young Latinas can be considerable; few teen mothers are able to earn a high school diploma or find a job that pays a living wage. Thus, teen pregnancy often sets into motion a chain of events that leads to lower educational attainment, welfare dependency and.
