4.985 Niñasmadres
Recorded In The Last Decade
PAC Leadership
Race Will Be Decided On May 31 By Open
Convention
Residents Try To Force Transvestites From
Their Area
Puente de la
Amistad In Critical Condition
Eriksson Under
No Illusions Ahead of Costa Rica
4.985
Niñasmadres Recorded In The Last Decade
"It is very difficult to study and be a
mother", 17 year old Mireya told the Al Dia
her condition of facing the growing problem
of "niñasmadre" (adolescent mother). At 17,
Mireya is the mother of a 2 year old.
The reality is that according to records by
the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y
Censos (INEC) - national census - there were
500 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 that
were mothers. The INEC shows no record of
boys registering as fathers during that
year.
The INEC records indicate that during the
ten years between 1997 and 2007 there were
22 cases of boys aged between 10 and 14
registered as fathers and 4.085 niñasmadres.
According to the Mario Víquez, president of
the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI)
- child welfare services - culturally boys
or young men have been excluded from
institutional programs, to the point when
the father is a minor, the name if not even
taken by registry officials.
In Costa Rica a minor is not responsible in
the eyes of the law.
According to sexologist, Mauro Fernández,
speaking to Al Dia, said that an estimated
50% of children in Costa Rica do not have a
father, most of the young men not taking the
responsibility of fatherhood, even with DNA
laws are in place.
The sexologist says that the situation, the
boy not taking responsibility, is a family,
social and legal involvement, as there are
lawyers counselling families not to do so
and even avoiding paying child support.
Sex education is one area that is being
pointed out as failing the young, even
though health and education officials have
been making an effort during the last
several years.
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