Fewer parents taking marriage vows in Panama

While the Pope is traveling to Latin America trying to rebuild falling participation in the Catholic Church, the concept of “family” in Panama continues to change.

Statistics of the Comptroller General's Office show that during 2010, the vast majority of children were not born to married couples Of the total  of 67,955 births only 11,389 belonged to households where the parents were married.

Of these, 46,613 cases were of  women cohabiting with their partners, while  9,740    were single mothers and 213 belonged to widows or separated women.

Regardless of the marital status parents of minors have the same rights, and psychologists believe, says La Prensa, that in homes where there is no marriage the parents are likely to be  more responsible.

Meanwhile, family planners are on  the alert. At least 239 women had their tenth child in 2010, and the number of rural pregnant adolescents under age 15 grew 33%..