Download file 628 KB Texto completo en español More of: Francisca  Dussaillant L.

More than 35 thousand children are born in Chile every year to teenage mothers, representing around 15% of all births. Many of those births are the fruit of unwanted pregnancies outside of marriage or a stable two-parent home. This article looks at the risky behavior of the teenage population in Chile, concentrating specifically on unprotected sexual relations. First, psychological literature is reviewed on the reasons why teenagers tend to take more risks than adults or children. Then, the results of sociological and economic research are explained, including a comparative analysis of different countries. Finally, the situation in our country is characterized in light of the results of econometric studies of the sexual behavior of Chilean teenagers and young adults and public policy suggestions are made.