Over 13,000 teens in Costa Rica became mothers this year.

Pregnancy in teens not only has increased health risks for young expectant women, but is a direct contributor to limited educational and economic opportunities for women throughout their lives.

This and other data on the topic of teenage sexuality was recently presented at the National University (UNA) in Heredia.

A new law that went into effect this year includes stiff punishments for men who have sexual relations with girls who are under age and more than 5 years their junior.

The study by the university also looked at public opinion regarding what are termed “inappropriate relationships,” i.e. those between adult men and underage girls. Results showed that while 83 percent of Costa Ricans do not approve of such relationships; 14 percent do not have a problem with older men being involved romantically and sexually with underage girls.

Health and human rights experts highlight the problems with such relations that include highly unequal power relations in which the man often controls all decision-making and finances, and plays a dominant role in the relationship that can include the girl serving as a sort of free domestic servant and giving free sexual services.

In 40 percent of teen pregnancies this year, the girls’ partners were between 10 and 15 years older, a situation that is illegal in the country.

 

The recent killing of a 19 year old by her 56-year-old boyfriend has sparked increased attention to the societal problem.

Over the past year there have been three such cases in Costa Rica in which underage girls were subject to abuse and killed by their older sentimental partners, sparking criticisms by international agencies on the situation of teen girls and their access to sex education, birth control and human rights awareness.