Background of the Study

Adolescent pregnancy has a huge socioeconomic impact all around the world. Every

year, over 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth (World Health Organization, 2014). The

Philippines is the only Asia Pacific country with a notable increase in adolescent pregnancy, with

1 in 10 Filipino teenagers becoming pregnant (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2018).

In 2008, the Philippines' adolescent pregnancy rate was 10%, but by 2017 it had dropped

to 9%. Teenage moms (ages 10-19) had 203,085 live births in 2016, a little reduction to 196,478

in 2017 and 183,000 in 2018. Despite this, among ASEAN members, the Philippines has one of

the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy. According to recent World Bank data, the Philippines

has 47 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19, which is higher than the global average of 44 and

33.5 in the ASEAN area [cf. Lao PDR (76), Cambodia (57), Indonesia (48), and Thailand (43)].

This entails that more than 500 Filipino adolescent girls are getting pregnant and giving birth

every day. UNFPA echoes the sense of urgency demonstrated by NEDA and POPCOM, which

recently described the still alarmingly high teenage pregnancy rate in the country as a “national

emergency”. (Mapa, 2015)

Given the number of incidence of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines and the less

than ideal

circumstances girls face during their reproductive years; this study is especially timely. The

researchers, therefore, seeks to take an in-depth look at adolescent pregnancy, with a focus on its

emotional element.

Significance of the Study

To Students – this study is particularly beneficial to students as they will be given awareness of

the consequences and challenges encountered during teenage pregnancy, and how it is especially

more difficult than those of proper age or pregnancy conceived during and after marriage.

To Teachers – this study will prove beneficial to teacher, particularly those with students who are

experiencing teenage pregnancy, in coping with their emotional struggles, relating to them more,

and effectively seeking efficient strategies to help these particular cases learn and become

successful individuals.

To Administrators – this study will provide insights and knowledge in coping with similar cases

in schools and institutions where otherwise these students would be neglected. Administrators

will also be aided by this study in formulating policies and effective guidelines in dealing with

teenage pregnancy and how to reduce the numbers of said cases.

To Teenage Mothers – This study will help teenage mothers in a way that as adolescent mothers

perceive their home, school, community, and peer environments as supportive, they are more

likely to increase their success by developing and maintaining resilient characteristics such as

competence, problem-solving ability, and sense of purpose.

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References:

Mapa, D., UNFPA, Harvesting the Demographic Dividend Fast: Necessary for Ambisyon Natin

(2040). 2015

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2018). National demographic health survey 2017.

https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR347/FR347.pdf