First Talk

VOYA

Citing statistics from Farai Chideya's study of how American youth culture is redefining race relations, Color of Our Future (Morrow, 1999), the authors produced this book following a symposium cosponsored by the Child Welfare League of America and the National Council of Executives. Although teenage pregnancies in the United States are at a twentyyear low, our country still has the highest rate among industrialized nations in the world. Currently about a million teenage pregnancies occur annually in the United States, with Latino teens twice as likely to become pregnant as whites. Recently the Latino teen birth rate surpassed that of African American teens. Characteristics of the Latino population are reviewed, as the text cites demographics, racial and ethnic diversity, and an overview of Latino culture. Factors that contribute to the high Latino teen pregnancy rate include socioeconomic status, lack of health insurance, high dropout rates, religion, and the effect of adolescent development itself. Additional chapters summarize contraceptive use, sexual activity, and reasons why some teens marry. After discussing a variety of approaches to preventing Latino teens from becoming parents prematurely, several appendixes provide additional resources, a list of symposium attendees, and directions for holding a youth forum. Written in a clear, straightforward style, First Talk is primarily for those who work with teens, rather than the young adults themselves. This book has good source notes but at times suffers from a lack of actual dialogue from Latino teens. This reservation aside, First Talk will be useful to teachers, social workers, and government officials who work with youngLatinosor wish to create service programs for them. Charts. Source Notes. Appendix. 1999, CWLA Press/Child Welfare League of America, Ages Adult, 105p, $14.95 pb. Reviewer: Debbie Earl