Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Bataan Branch Brgy. Malaya, Freeport Area of Bataan, Mariveles, Bataan

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Living in the IT Era

BSA 1-2

Impacts of Teenage Pregnancy among

High School students in Mariveles,
Bataan.
Conducted by:
Group 4

Desie Rose Nayre

Patricia Mae Fernandez
Leika Zapanta
Hanifah Malawad
Nicholei Reginaldo

Presented to:
Mr. Salvador J. Marcos

PUP- Bataan Branch Brgy. Malaya, Freeport Area of Bataan, Mariveles, Bataan
Direct Line: 63 45935-7019  | Office of the registrar 6345935-7018
Website: www.pup.edu.ph | Email: inquire@pup.edu.ph
THE COUNTRY’S 1 st POLYTECHNICU
 1. Introduction

The cases of teenage pregnancy are rampant and alarming in many provinces of the Philippines,
including our town in Mariveles. This societal problem remains personally destructive in their
moral, economic, and social lives. According to Statista Research Department (2023), the
adolescent fertility rate in the Philippines was approximately 55.97 births per 1,000 women aged
15 to 19 in 2019, reflecting an increase from the previous year. 
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 141 on June 25, 2021, to implement measures
that will address the root causes of the rising number of adolescent pregnancies. Among
Filipinos aged 10 to 19, there were about 495 live births per day in 2019, according to the
Philippine Statistics Authority. 

The cases of teenage pregnancy in the town of Mariveles decrease as the pandemic rises due to
the prohibition of physical interaction as a precaution. However, as soon as the protocol in our
town loosens, there is a boom in adolescent fertility. Therefore, the 1Bataan has taken the
challenge of reducing adolescents’ fertility in Bataan through campaigns against teenage
pregnancy. In it, Councilor Susan M. Murillo, SB Committee on Women and Children's Welfare,
shared new ordinances for the protection of minors in each barangay as well as child-friendly
local governance audit (CFLGA) and other ordinances to support it. In addition, the Department
of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Works and
Development (DSWD), Population Commission (PopCom) and other agencies find ways to
reduce this problem. Hence, the researchers aim to investigate the significant effects of early
pregnancy among high school students. The PopCom conducted a series of lectures or activities
for the dissemination to the different secondary schools to achieve the objective of reducing the
early pregnancy through a large information and education campaign about adolescent sexuality
and reproductive health values (Regional DepEd Memorandum No. 176 s. 2016). 

Participants Grade Level Age Range

A Grade 9 15

B Grade 9 15

C Grade 9 15

D Grade 10 16

E Grade 10 17

F Grade 11 17

G Grade 11 18

H Grade 11 18

I Grade 11 18

J Grade 12 19
Table 1. Participants Information
Total: 10 Participants/ Respondents

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Nevertheless, we made this study especially focused among High School students in Mariveles,
Bataan. The participants were purposely chosen from grades 9-12, three (3) from grade 9, two
(2) from grade 10, four (4) from grade 11, and one (1) from grade 12, with an age range of 15-19
years old. This strategy was made to learn the causes of early pregnancy and how it affects High
School students. We conducted this research by interviewing five (5) pregnant teens and five (5)
teens that were already a mother residing in Mariveles.

2. Statement of the Problem

 What is the impact of Teenage Pregnancy as to;

1. Mental Health
2. Medical
3. Relationship to the Parents
4. School
5. Social Stigma

2.1. The effect of teenage pregnancy on their mental health.

According to our participants’ obstetrician among High School students in Mariveles,

Bataan, they claimed that they are doubly at risk of mental health disorders before and after the
birth. They also stated, they feel depressed most of the time and have suicidal ideation than their
peers who aren’t mothers.

Teen mothers are twice as likely to suffer from postnatal depression as women who have their
babies at a later stage of life. Adolescent mothers are more likely to experience violence and
depression that can increase the risk of mental disorders. Depression in the perinatal period is
also a risk factor for substance and alcohol abuse and a harsher parenting style in adolescents.
(SmithBattle, L., & Freed, P. 2016).  

2.2.  The effect of teenage pregnancy on their health.

Maternal and prenatal health is of particular concern among teens who are pregnant or
parenting. In a rural hospital in Bataan, teenage mothers between 15–19 years old were more
likely to have anemia, preterm delivery, and low birth weight than mothers between 20–24 years
old. Half of our respondents are less likely to receive prenatal care, often seeking it in the third
trimester if it at all.  All of them are also subject to nutritional deficiencies from poor eating
habits common in adolescence, including attempts to lose weight through dieting, skipping
meals, food faddism, snacking, and consumption of fast food. Inadequate nutrition during
pregnancy is an even more marked problem among teenagers in developing countries.
Complications of pregnancy result in the deaths of an estimated 70,000 teen girls in developing
countries each year (WHO). 

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Risks for medical complications are greater for girls 14 years of age and younger, as an
underdeveloped pelvis can lead to difficulties in childbirth. Obstructed labor is normally dealt
with by Cesarean section in industrialized nations; however, in developing regions where
medical services might be unavailable, it can lead to eclampsia, obstetric fistula, infant mortality,
or maternal death.[3] For mothers in their late teens, age is not a risk factor, and poor outcomes
are associated more with socioeconomic factors rather than with biology.

2.3.  Impact of Teenage pregnancy to their parents’ relationship.

Q: When you got pregnant, what was your parents’ reaction?

Answers:

Frequency Rank

Hatred by the parents. 5 1

Regrets for lack of love, care and guidance to their daughter. 3 2

Rejection 2 3
Table 2. Effects of Teenage Pregnancy as to their Parents’ Relationship

As we conducted this study around Mariveles, we discovered that most of their parents got angry
or disappointed with what happened to their precious children. Based on our research, out of ten
(10) respondents, five (5) of them told us that the reaction of their parents is hatred which makes
it to rank 1 or the top answer.

Most teenage girls are their fathers’ favorites, and this may end up putting the father vigilant and
intrusive in their daughter’s life. When these girls become pregnant, they are afraid and
overwhelmed by the guilt of betraying their parents. This will inevitably lead to them concealing
their status from their father (Haney and March 2013). Therefore, fathers are more likely to be
angered by their daughters’ pregnancies. In some cases, this anger would even lead to the
father’s rejection to chase their daughters out of the house.

2.4. Impact of Teenage Pregnancy to their schooling.

In our findings, it shows that six (6) of our respondents have already dropped out of
school and start to work at an early age to support the needs of their babies as well as their
families. This decision was supported by their parents since they are not able to support the
schooling of their daughter because they were poor. The two (2) out of six (6) dropouts also cited
that they feel too much pressure and responsibilities to take care of the baby while studying
that’s why they chose to stop attending school. The other four (4) participants cited that they still
attend school with the support of their parents. Their parents are in-charge of taking care of their
babies while they’re gone to school. According to the parents of these 4 students, they want to
cut the cycle or the stereotyping where teenage moms stop studying as they give birth. In other
words, they still want their daughters to finish studying in order for their child to attain a decent
life. 

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According to (Woerner et al., 2002), 7 out of 10 females who became teenage mothers did not
graduate from high school. Less than one-third of young females giving birth before age 18 ever
completed high school and the younger the pregnant teenagers were the less likely they were to
achieve high school. They lost interest at school, absenteeism from school resulting in low
academic performance and finally preferred to stay home due to early pregnancy.

2.5. Social Stigma to the Teenage Moms

Q: When you got pregnant, how did it affect your social life?
Answers:

Frequency Rank

Being condemned and judged by society. 2 1

Heard Criticism. 2 2

Experienced Humiliation. 1 3

Became a product of gossip/s. 5 4

Table 3. Social Stigma to Teenage Moms

Person E: “Gossips about me are all around the barangay. That’s the reason why I stayed
home.”
Person G: “I felt humiliated as they spread gossip about me, saying that I ruined our families
honor.”
Person J: “Other people speculate about my personality. They spread humor that I am a slut. In
short, they judged my sexual behavior.”

The findings revealed that the respondents felt humiliated to face the community because of their
current situation. Stigma affects mental health through discriminatory treatment (e.g., in schools
or health services), social isolation, and internalization of negative stereotypes and judgments
(Hatzenbuehler et al. 2013). 

The results of this study revealed that the respondents were able to face the challenges / effects
of their wrong doings. As stated in Section 2 of the Republic Act No. 10354, also known as
‘The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012’, that the state
recognizes and guarantees the human rights of all persons including their right to equality and
non-discrimination of these rights, the right to sustainable human development, the right to
health which includes reproductive health, the right to education and information and the right to
choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, ethics,
cultural beliefs and the demands of responsible parenthood.

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  3.     Causes of the Problem

In some cultures, customs, and traditions they have early marriage which would possibly lead to
early pregnancy. In these cases, pregnancy is acceptable. However, what could be the other
reasons why countries without this kind of culture still have the most cases of teenage
pregnancy? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the reason behind early pregnancy were,
some girls/women are unable to refuse unwanted sex or to resist forced or coerced sex. There is
also a study that teens who become pregnant often come from families of low socio-economic
status. Growing up, these children often come from families who are suffering from poverty and
do not have all the necessary resources to raise their child. These children grow up to have low
educational goals and successes because of the lack of involvement from their own parents.
Teenage years are marked by rebellion and disagreement between teenagers and their parents.
During this period, they are less likely to trust their parents. Becoming pregnant at this age will
probably serve to strain the already complicated relationship. Parents will mostly view
pregnancies as the epitome of the children’s rebellion. The prospect of a fallout with the parents
may end causing the teenager to conceal their pregnancies or running away from home
(Coleman, 2006). These young kids then predisposed to a negative environment end up with less
ambition to succeed in school and begin making friendships with other teens who are going
through similar situations as them. It is these groups of teens who begin to experiment with drugs
and alcohol and do not do very well in school. Thus, Drugs and Alcohol are also one of the
causes of teenage pregnancy because they tend to experiment with drugs and alcohol frequently
with their friends at social gatherings and parties without realizing the impacts alcohol and drugs
have on the functioning of their brain, especially the effects of binge drinking which is
consuming large amounts of alcohol during one sitting. These substances greatly affect teens'
ability to logically think and carry out general thinking processes, in consequence of increasing
the chances they will engage in unprotected and unsafe sexual activity. 
Lastly, the Social Media Influence. The Internet and Media has a significant impact on teenage
pregnancy. According to a study done by the RAND Corporation, teens are twice as likely to
have sex or engage in sexual acts if they see similar sexual behavior in the media. Dr. Mike
Manalaysay, a pediatrician, believes that with the onset of technological innovation, it is one of
the factors that affects the change of psychological behavior of adolescents who are mostly
engaged in social media activities every day. Social networking sites, according to him, offer
many kinds of information and provide easier access to different kinds of people. The absence of
parental guidance has led most teens, who are considered vulnerable to many things, to
experience the negative implication of social media, which is the early pregnancy. Although,
research has shown that digitally savvy youngsters benefit from social media by enhancing their
communication, social connection, and even technical skills, pediatricians recommend that
limitations be observed and that they sift the information they get from the internet.

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   4. Solution

Observing the issue of our society, we come up with various solutions.

Description Objective Strategy

Parental To assist children and teenagers Parents can take a multi-pronged

Guidance navigate the digital world safely and approach to media and internet,
(Media/ responsibly. including time limits, parental
Internet) monitoring, and supervision and
ongoing discussion about media
and internet.

Family To help the overall well-being of
Connection teenagers. As social engagement with
your family can evade loneliness, this
might help young people to avoid
distant relationships within their
family.
Parents and children can download
apps that connect to each other
even if they are not together. (e.g.,
messenger)

Webinar (Sex Aims to provide young people with School in Mariveles, Bataan
and Sexuality accurate and age-appropriate (secondary level) should arrange a
Education) information about sex and sexuality. webinar with the consent and
assistance of students’ parents.

To come up with these solutions, our group thoroughly analyzes the cause of the problem to
propose a solution to this study. Moreover, our group noticed that, in the absence of family
intervention, teenage girls usually were left with peers and vices resulting in indulging in sexual
activities. Minnis (2013) stated that limited socioeconomic opportunities might play a big role in
persistently high pregnancy rates among adolescents.
The solutions in teenage pregnancy are to a great extent to discuss. The group are therefore
narrowly considering solutions to our community problems by depending on the causes of the
problem, as well as considering the significance of the issue in our year, which is the year of new
technology. With the assistance of technology, teenagers can prevent or lower the rate of teenage
pregnancy.

5. Recommendation 

According to Section 2. Article 338 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as "The Revised Penal
Code”, The seduction of a minor, sixteen and over but under eighteen years of age, committed
by means of deceit, shall be punished by arresto mayor.
As stated in our findings, teenage mothers were at risk of social, moral, mental, and financial
pressures. Prejudices and humiliations within family, friends and people in the community were
usually experienced.  However, the causes of teenage pregnancy do not end within parents,
social media, and peers. Pedophiles are also one of the causes of teenage pregnancy. Thereupon
in this study, the body of this research were solely recommending everyone to start the

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knowledge in basic rights of your children. The Republic Act No. 11648, promotes a stronger
protection for young people against rape, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Since children are full
of innocence and unaware of their surroundings, the guardian of teenagers must be aware of
threats and dangers that they may face with pedophiles.
The government, parents, teachers, and teenagers must exert efforts to eradicate or at least
minimize the problem by thinking logically, and giving support especially in mental and
financial well-being, guidance, and awareness.

REFERENCES:
I. MORE LAWS NEEDED TO ADDRESS TEEN PREGNANCIES | PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA.GOV.PH)
II. PHILIPPINES: ADOLESCENT FERTILITY RATE | STATISTA
III. PALALAKASIN KAMPANYA KONTRA TEENAGE PREGNANCY - 1BATAAN
IV. CAUSE AND EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY | THE LAWYERS & JURISTS (LAWYERSNJURISTS.COM)
V. TEEN PREGNANCY CASES RISE 'DUE TO SOCIAL MEDIA' - SUNSTAR
VI. TEENAGE MOTHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF STIGMA (RESEARCHGATE.NET)
VII. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11648 (LAWPHIL.NET)