Impact of Formal Education of Women on Reproductive Behavior in Four Socio-Cultural Contexts in the Soconusco Region of Chiapas (Translation of Spanish Version)

This paper analyzes demographic changes that occurred between 1977 and1996, in four socio-cultural contexts in the Soconusco Region of Chiapas, Mexico. It isbased on a socio-demographic random sample survey that compiled primary (1139household groups) and secondary (population and agricultural census) information.The results based on cohort analysis provide evidence for the existence ofvarious fertility trends among the different socio-cultural contexts. In average urbansettlements, fertility has remained low stable, and in rural indigenous settlements it hasalso remained stable, but high. Only in rural mestizo and marginal urban communitieshave there been overall and significant fertility declines. In marginal urban settlements,in spite of showing a generalized fertility decline, adolescent fertility has increased.These trends are closely related to the changes in schooling levels achieved byfemales, particularly with secondary or higher education, as well as with modifications inthe age at first union. There has been a reduction in the proportion of womencompleting secondary education in all of the socio-cultural contexts, which goes handin-hand with the economic polarization of the region.Based on models of impact evaluation, it is possible to conclude that due to thecharacteristics of the Soconusco “with elevated macroeconomic development and deepsocial polarization”, the State’s efforts must be primordially oriented to improving the lotof the population, especially with regards to average education of women