If one is in the quick-sand of poverty---with no means of getting out of it, why bring another child into the world to suffer.  So many young people do not have adequate education, training or are employed. More unemployed = more crime, violence and murders.  In Latin America only 20 out of 100 murders results in conviction.  The weaknesses in security and justice institutions fuels crime.  This can be traced to a legacy of conflict and military rule in countries like Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador  and Haiti.  Organized crime can buy off most branches of the governments.  It is a lot easier than trying to fight the government.  As for the elites, as in Guatemala, right-wing paramilitary groups are employed by the rich and powerful to keep their interests safe.  But the poor, and most of the poor ARE women, have nothing to keep them or their children safe.