Opportunity Costs and Latinas’ Family Formation Attitudes

Bibliographic Data

ID6064682
AuthorsN J Spence (0000-0002-0724-9429, City University of New York, Bronx, USA, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume38
Issue2
Pages186-205
Publication date2016-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0739-9863 • E-ISSN: 1552-6364
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0739986316636370
OpenAlexW2308119678
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited24

Cultural ideals and acculturation influence Latinas’ fertility-related attitudes and family size preferences within the context of the U.S. social and economic structure. In this context, there may be “costs” associated with enacting preferences favoring family building over other opportunities or demands. This article draws on data collected from focus groups conducted with college-educated Latinas in the Bronx, New York ( n = 16) to demonstrate a conflict between cultural values and opportunity costs. The voices of these women not only echo an awareness of opportunity costs associated with childbearing (especially at a young age or having many children) but also acknowledge the influences of culture on the attitudes and behaviors of Latinas. In this conflict, ethnic identities are challenged and signs of internalized racism emerge

Acculturation · Ethnic group · Focus group · Geography · Opportunity cost · Sociology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · Psychology · Social Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges