Threats Against Life Machismo , the mindset that considers a woman as man's property, is widespread in Latin America. Its effect on families is devastating as husbands and fathers, unevangelized and poor, abandon their families, leaving women and children desperately vulnerable. For some women, the only option is to seek another man to care for them and their children. And even abortion seems a viable alternative. Sadly, sometimes a woman fears that if she is pregnant, her husband will leave her and another won't take her, thereby leaving her with no means to feed and care for her children.
Abortion is the principal means of birth control in Latin America.
It is accessible, inexpensive, and quite often not very safe. It appears to be the solution. Of course, it is instead just another expression of the impoverishment of the poor. One other element in this sad reality is the infant mortality rate. Unknown numbers of infants die from preventable illnesses such as diarrhea, colds, and flu.