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Show Utah known for high values on family life, lots of children By TED W. WARSTADT College of Family Life Utah State University Utah is generally known as an area which places a high value on family life. Utah also has a unique set of demographic and family characteristics that distinguish it from many other states. Utah has an estimated population of 1,722,850. The major portion of Utah's population is classified as metropolitan. Utah's population is 93.8 percent white, 0.7 percent black and 4.9 percent Hispanic. The remaining percentage is comprised of Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders. Having a low proportion of minority population is only one of Utah's unique characteristics. In 1989, 37 percent of Utah residents were 18 years old or younger, making mak-ing Utah the youngest state in the nation. Not surprisingly, this means Utah also has the largest average family size when compared to other states. With such a large percentage of youth, education is a concern and a source of frustration for many Utah residents. Utah spent less per pupil than any other state during 1985 and 1986. Utah also had the highest student-teacher ratio of any state in 1989. It appears that with such a large population of school-aged children, Utah has suffered somewhat in terms of educational expenditures. When compared to other states, however, Utah has the fifth highest percentage of its population completing com-pleting four or more years of college col-lege education. With so many residents younger than 18, it appears logical that Utah would have a unique set of childhood and adolescent difficulties. Some reports have emerged in various writings which suggest Utah may have a variety of problems affecting children's and teen-agers woes. A look at various statistics on family childhood and adolescent issues, however, shows that Utah is doing remarkably well in a variety of areas. In looking at data between 1985 and 1986, Utah ranked third lowest in the nation in percent of children living in poverty. This is fairly respectable, considering Utah's per capita income is fourth from the lowest in the nation. A recent survey of Utah citizens conducted by Utah State University's Univer-sity's department of Family and Human Development, indicated that, of 33 issues facing Utah families, Utah ranks teen-age pregnancy 14th in order of importance. impor-tance. This is an indication that Utah citizens, although concerned about this issue, do not see it as important. im-portant. When looking at births to unmarried unmar-ried teen-agers, national statistics show that Utah has the second lowest rate in the nation, just behind Idaho. Utah has the lowest occurrence occur-rence rate of any state in percent of unwed births and also ranks second lowest in the nation on its abortion rate. A look at facts and figures shows that Utah is a unique state with distinctive challenges. Some statistics indicate that Utah is succeeding suc-ceeding with its youthful population. |