Cultural ideals and acculturation influence Latinas’ fertility-related attitudes and family size preferences within the context of the U.S. social and economic structure. In this context, there may be “costs” associated with enacting preferences favoring family building over other opportunities or demands. This article draws on data collected from focus groups conducted with college-educated Latinas in the Bronx, New York (n = 16) to demonstrate a conflict between cultural values and opportunity costs. The voices of these women not only echo an awareness of opportunity costs associated with childbearing (especially at a young age or having many children) but also acknowledge the influences of culture on the attitudes and behaviors of Latinas. In this conflict, ethnic identities are challenged and signs of internalized racism emerge.
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