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Source: U.S. data: adapted from Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1995.
Slide 13
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The length of time when women are fertile prior to marriage
has been increasing, because the age of menarche is falling
and the age of marriage is rising. Therefore, youth are at risk
of premarital pregnancy for more years and may be more likely
to change sexual partners, thus increasing their risk for STIs
as well.
In North America, where the best data are available, the number
of fertile years for women prior to marriage has increased from
7.2 years in 1890 to 11.8 years in 1988. This is due to a falling
age of menarche, from 14.8 years to 12.5, and a rising age of
marriage for women, from 22.0 to 24.3. Studies have found similar
trends in other countries, including Kenya, Guatemala, South
Africa, India and Morocco. Experts think menarche may be falling
due to better health and nutrition. Changes in legal requirements
and cultural norms have led to the rising age of marriage.
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