The Nicaragua nuclear family has undergone some changes in
the past generation. Family planning is
a relatively new concept and is slowly being accepted. Barriers have included the Catholic Church’s opposition
to birth control, taboos, and the lack of resources and knowledge. In any case, the generation of Nicaraguans
before me (people aged 39+) most likely have between 6-13 siblings. Everyone lives under the same roof until
marriage. After marriage, the husband
and wife move into wherever there’s space but usually on the same plot of land one
or the other’s family in a smaller 1 or 2 room house.
That’s the generally accepted tradition but there are some
variables. Many a time, men will father
a child or 2 before settling down with the woman they will marry. Or, after marriage, they will have an affair
with another woman. All of these factors
have led to a nearly insurmountable problem – a disproportionate population
size. Over 60% of all Nicaraguans are
under the age of 30. As of now, there
aren’t enough jobs available for Nicaraguans of working ages and it will be
difficult to create enough work opportunities for the generation that will be
entering the work force shortly.
Thankfully there is good news; the family size appears to be
decreasing. At a meeting I attended with
60 Nicaraguans from all across the country, no one had more than 5 siblings. All in all, that’s why I think the Peace
Corps is so important. With the health
sector helping with family planning and the small business development program
spurring entrepreneurship, Nicaragua will hopefully be able to grow
sustainably.
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