“He was happy, so I was happy too”: Male partner influences on Latina teen childbearing decisions

Teen birth rates in the United States have decreased over the last decade, yet the pace of decrease has been slower among Latina teens than among any other racial/ethnic group. There has been no clear consensus regarding the reasons for the persistently higher Latina teen birth rates. This study employed a qualitative approach to investigating the role of male sexual partners in the contraceptive choices and childbearing decisions of a sample of 31 Latina teens (ages 15-19) in California who were pregnant with their first child. In-depth interviews revealed that partners played a prominent role in family planning decisions. There was often disagreement between participants and their male partners with regards to both contraceptive method choice and wantedness of pregnancy, which led to inconsistent contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy, particularly among U.S.-born teens. Most foreign-born teens and their partners were in agreement regarding their contraceptive use, usually agreeing not to use birth control because they wanted a baby at that time. The partner's older age and desire for children was a significant factor in wanting to become pregnant, often taking priority for the couple over the participant's age and educational goals. The partner's anticipated practical and psychosocial support when the baby was born were also important considerations in teens' childbearing decisions; teens who perceived higher levels of support from their partners were generally more comfortable and confident about their future as parents. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing male partners' preferences and desires in Latina teen pregnancy prevention efforts.