How Does Teen Pregnancy Affect Young Mothers

Student ID:

2022016

2022034

2022030

Antigua State College

Department of Teacher Education

JBTE/SS102: Methods Of Inquiry & Fieldwork In Social Studies

Lecturer: Ms. Charmaine Thomas

Due Date: 27th November, 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments …………………………………………………..…………….. 1

Introduction …………………………………………………………..…………… 2

Rationale ………………………………………………………….………….….. 3-7

Literature Review ……………………………………………………….……... 8-11

Methodology ……………………………………………………….…….……. 12-14

Discussion of Findings ………………………………………………..………. 15-19

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….….… 20-21

Recommendations ……………………………………………………….…… 22-23

References ……………………………………………………………….….… 23-26

Appendices ………………………………………………………...………….. 27-30

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to the most high for helping us to

overcome the obstacles endured during the challenging research phase. Through His good grace

and kindness, and blessing us with continued health and strength we were able to complete this

research paper.

Additionally, we would like to extend our gratitude to Ms. Charmaine Thomas, our

lecturer, for providing us with the necessary expertise, guidance, and knowledge we needed to

complete this investigation quickly and effectively. Her constant direction, help, excitement, and

steadfast support kept us going through challenging but worthwhile and enlightening learning

experiences. Although it was not an easy undertaking, we are thankful for the comfort and

reassurance that each group member’s contribution brought.

Lastly, we would like to sincerely thank all our family members, along with the

community at large, for all of their encouragement, love, support, information, and tolerance for

the past nine weeks, which was an encouragement for us to keep pushing through the challenging

and frustrating times.

1
 INTRODUCTION

007021803

“No amount of experimentation can prove me right; a single experimentation can prove

me wrong” (Albert Einstein). Experimental Research is a form of comparative analysis in which

you study two or more variables and observe a group under a certain condition or groups

experiencing different conditions (Career Development | Indeed.com, n.d.). You can establish

correlations between the factors used and the effect they have on each group by evaluating the

findings of this particular type of research. This research was administered throughout a nine-

week period, by student-teachers within the Department of Teacher Education, at the Antigua

State College.

The purpose of this study is to find out how teenage pregnancy has affected the lives of

teenage girls, between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, in the community of Nut Grove. The

study’s rationale, literature review, methodology, discussion of findings, and recommendation

were all developed while conducting our research, allowing the researchers to provide an

accurate experimental evaluation.

2
 RATIONALE
Significance of Study

Teenage pregnancy has been and will continue to be a common occurrence globally.

World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show that about sixteen million adolescents aged

15-19 years give birth each year and most of these births occur in developing countries (World

Health Organization, 2014). The trajectory of a young mother's life can be transformed by

teenage pregnancy for various reasons. She finds herself in a situation where she must take

responsibility for another person in addition to herself. Physical changes are not the only effects

of becoming a teen mother, as there are health and social issues associated with teenage

pregnancy, which can significantly impact the well-being of teens and, more or less likely, the

broader community.

Numerous factors have contributed to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy throughout

the years, namely, teenagers engaging in unprotected sex primarily due to a disregard for

responsibility and being knowledgeable of sex education. Additional factors such as inadequate

educational exposure, unprotected sex, a history of teenage pregnancies in the family, and a lack

of communication with parents regarding questions or concerns about sexual and reproductive

health, are also a contribution.

Pregnancy is one of the biggest issues faced in Nut Grove, as many young girls become

pregnant during their early years, and this is a known concern that has yet to be addressed. The

prevalence of the issue at hand became known to the researchers through months of observation,

personal research along with conversations held with peers, parents, and other village members.

One local health worker said, “I know young girls are still getting pregnant a lot because I see

them coming to the hospital with complications from an abortion.” As educators, we have

3
witnessed many teen girls attending school while pregnant, not only at the tertiary level, but

secondary, where the numbers, though have not increased significantly, but still fluctuating.

Additionally, a significant number of teenage girls in Nut Grove Village have experienced

this reoccurring problem, contributing to what is seemingly a cycle that is nowhere near its end.

This information stems from individuals with little to no sexual education or who may have been

taken advantage of by an older person. In efforts to contribute to the issue and help young girls,

one Member of Parliament, Samantha Marshall, was able to consider initiating the “Mother Care

Project”, which would have been designed to give new and young mothers the skills they would

need to be independent and self-sufficient. The target audience for this outreach initiative would

be teenage girls, from the age of fourteen, who are not able to advance academically, and who do

not know enough about holistic wellness, nutrition, and healthcare.

Teenage mothers are more likely to experience serious social problems such as child

welfare, lack of education, poverty, and unhealthy lifestyle habits making it a serious societal

concern. Just thinking about it, especially in these modern times the financial cost of caring for a

child at such a young age is crippling. According to UNICEF, “the Education Act provides for

the option of girls returning to school after giving birth. However, few opt to go back due to the

stigma attached to teenage pregnancy. If girls do return to secondary education, they usually go

to a different school. Girls who do not return but desire to complete their education are able to

enroll in courses that allow them to attain their certificate of completion and sit for exams.

However, the fees that can be associated with these courses are often a major bottleneck as

teenage mothers struggle to gain employment and independence.”

Statistical data shows the prevalence of the issue in Antigua and Barbuda. “For females

aged 12 and 13 years, there was no change in births from 1969 to 1978 compared with 1994 to

4
2003. For females aged 14 years, there was a 54% drop; for females aged 15 years, a 59% drop;

for females aged 16 years, a 53% drop; for females aged 17 years, a 51% drop; for females 18

years, a 37% drop and for females aged 19 years, a 30% drop, while births to mothers > or = 20

years increased 25%. The decrease for all teen births was 42% from 1969-1978 to 1994-2003.

Teen births accounted for 29% of all births at Holberton in 1969 to 1973 but only 16% of births

in 1999 to 2003. In conclusion, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a marked drop of 42% in teenage

deliveries, including a 53% drop in school-aged teens from 1980 to 2015. Explanations include

factors such as economic, social, educational, and medical developments (UNICEF).”

In an effort to bring about changes that can reduce the number of teenage

pregnancies annually, initiatives and programs can be developed and put into action using the

data we gathered. In addition to limiting the number of teenage pregnancies, the purpose of

designing these programs ought to address the issue ahead of it actually occurring.

In view of the aforementioned, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects

of pregnancy on the lives of teenage mothers in the community of Nut Grove, who are between

the ages of thirteen to seventeen.

5
RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What effects does teenage pregnancy have on the lives of teen girls in the

community of Nut Grove?

2. What defense mechanisms are available or can be employed to mitigate or to

lessen the unfavorable psychological impacts of teen pregnancy?

3. How can we as educators or as a community mitigate or control this social issue

for teen mothers who are mentally affected by the effects of their pregnancy?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. Adjusting to the frustrations of dealing with post-partum: educationally,

financially, socially, and mentally.

2. Refuting prejudices and false beliefs about the consequences of teenage

pregnancy

3. To make provisions for promoting comprehension and clarity regarding the

consequences of teen pregnancy

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

1. Teenage girls: According to the World Health Organization (2023), Adolescence

(teenage) is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to

19. It is a unique stage of human development (physical, cognitive, psychosocial)

and an important time for laying the foundations of good health.

2. Pregnancy: Defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services,

pregnancy is the term used to describe the period in which a fetus develops inside

a woman's womb or uterus. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, or just over 9

6
 months, as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. Healthcare

providers refer to three segments of pregnancy, called trimesters.

3. Prevalence: Prevalence is the proportion of a population who have a specific

characteristic in a given time period, and is estimated by researchers randomly

selecting a sample (smaller group) from the entire population they want to

describe (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.).

4. Community: a group of people who share something in common. You can define

a community by the shared attributes of the people in it and/or by the strength of

the connections among them. You need a bunch of people who are alike in some

way, and who feel some sense of belonging or interpersonal connection (The Art

of Relevance - a New Book by Nina Simon, n.d.).

7
 LITERATURE REVIEW

According to Leacock, Warrican, and Rose (2014), a literature review is a process that

analyzes a piece of literature and provides a description based on the topic or field being

investigated. The purpose of a literature review is to gain an understanding of the existing

research and debates relevant to a particular topic or area of study and to present that knowledge

in the form of a written report. Conducting a literature review helps you build your knowledge in

your field. You’ll learn about important concepts, research methods, and experimental techniques

that are used in your field (Western Sydney University, 2017).

In order to address the negative mental impacts that teenage pregnancy causes,

this study will look into how teenage girls are affected by it, what coping strategies are accessible

or may be used, and how this social issue might be lessened. Unlike normal teenagers, teenage

mothers are sometimes unable to continue their education due to the numerous challenges they

face, merely because, being a mother now becomes a priority. This is mostly derived from a poor

support system, their parents, the community, and the school, towards these teenagers. According

to Agnes Chigona and Rajendra Chetty (2008), in a study conducted in South Africa, while many

girls who become mothers before completing schooling consider academic qualifications to be

very important, they may not be able to succeed academically if the support they need to

complete their studies is insufficient. Usually, instead of getting support, the teen mothers endure

misunderstandings and pressure. The teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are

‘othered’ and consequently, they develop forms of resistance which in most cases may foster

their failure as learners. Teenage mothers are sometimes misunderstood and subjected to pressure

when they are students. Because of this attack, they can feel uncomfortable in class, which could

negatively impact their social interactions with other students. According to Mascolo and Fisher,

8
Constructivism is a learning theory that holds that knowledge is best gained through a process of

reflection and active construction in the mind. Constructivism is split into two main camps:

radical and social. The first form radical (or cognitive) constructivism proposes that the process

of constructing knowledge is dependent on the individual's subjective interpretation of their

active experience. The second form social constructivism affirms that human development is

socially situated and that knowledge is constructed through interaction with others. Bruner,

another constructivist also theorized that social interaction is crucial to the learning process as it

encourages discovery learning, hence teenage mothers need to socially interact with others in

order to be successful in completing at least a secondary education.

Parents also play a huge role in their teenage girls' completion of education, after

they become mothers. Once they become mothers, the way parents treat their teenage daughters

may have a detrimental effect on their academic performance. When teenage mothers don't have

enough assistance from their families, they tend to not finish their schooling. A study showed

that mothers of pregnant adolescents, who had also experienced adolescent pregnancy were more

understanding of the problems experienced by their daughters. Such mothers also expressed that

they accept the situation and give their daughters the required support (Health Direct, 2012).

Contrary to this, some parents are unhappy to learn of their teenage daughter's pregnancy. Some

mothers characterized their experiences as tragic once they learned that their teenage daughters

were pregnant. It was hard to embrace, believe, or accept the news. Numerous people expressed

how unpleasant it had been to hear the news, and this of course led to a breakdown in

communication, a lack of support, and parents turning away from their teenage daughters who

become mothers. Additionally, sometimes family members offer no support in caring for the

9
child in the absence of the mother, and the teenage mother cannot afford the daycare fees,

making it difficult to attend classes or even complete assignments.

Teenage pregnancies carry a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality. Available

evidence also suggests that teenage girls are at heightened risk of mental health stress since their

pregnancies are often unwanted and compounded by risk factors such as lack of social support,

stigma, intimate partner abuse, and economic hardship as well as testing positive to HIV

(Wainaina, 2021). Teenage mothers experience higher levels of mental stress due to inadequate

planning, and little awareness of critical knowledge (such as baby feeding and caregiving

practices and prevention of childhood illnesses) (Kumar et al. 2018). The study also looked at

how knowing the basics of child care might help ease the burden of being a teenage mother. The

mothers' success was mostly attributed to their ability to make decisions for themselves, their

belief in God, their relationships with partners and family, and Medicaid.

The major objectives of intervention programs designed to promote adolescent

reproductive health are to provide a supportive environment for children, improve teenagers'

knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavior regarding reproductive health, and increase the use of

health and contraceptive services (Bennett & Assefi, 2005; Farber, 2009). The detrimental

impacts of teenage pregnancy can be alleviated with the help of these coping techniques.

Moreover, as the only safe and effective way to avoid STIs and unintended pregnancy,

abstinence is promoted by abstinence/abstinence-only programs as the only morally acceptable

way to discourage young people from engaging in sexual activity. Incorporating abstinence

education into extensive reproductive health promotion programs that provide information on

STI protection and alternative forms of contraception can help delay the onset of sexual activity,

which is another way to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies (Santelli et al., 2006). On the

10
other hand, experts have argued that the programs and preventive measures have no effect

because the problem of adolescent pregnancy has grown over time.

In summary, research from multiple studies suggests that the effects of pregnancy

on a teenager’s life before and after giving birth are significant, and there are limited coping

strategies to help during difficult times. The upcoming content will cover the recommended data

collection method.

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 METHODOLOGY

The present chapter explores the research methodology and plan, along with the diverse

techniques, tools, and procedures employed in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of

research data. It also includes a description of the research site, the types of participants who

took part in the study, and the sampling strategies used to select research participants. The

method chosen, the measures taken to guarantee that ethical standards were satisfied, and the

level of accuracy of the research data are all justified in this section.

Identification and Selection

This research was carried out in the community of Nut Grove with a sample consisting of

twenty respondents, including both males and females from different socioeconomic

backgrounds, with a range of fifteen years and over.

Sample Selection

Convenience and purposeful sampling techniques were utilized to choose the various

samples. By applying the two sample strategies, the researchers were able to obtain respondents

who were appropriate for their study. The method used to collect information was not clearly

organized; respondents were approached to participate in the field, such as on the street, in a

public place, or at their place of employment.

Deliberate sampling allowed the researchers to choose survey respondents based on their

judgment. The selection of the sample was significantly influenced by familiarity with fellow

community members by two of the researchers. Due to constraints, convenience sampling was

the best choice. Deliberate sampling allowed the researchers to choose participants for their

surveys based on their judgment.

12
 Data Collection

“If you do not know how to ask the right question, then you discover nothing” (W.

Edward Denning). A survey can sometimes be defined as an investigation into a process or a set

of questions submitted to a specified population of participants in order to gather information on

a process, product, or service. Surveys for gathering data are set out to ask a specific set of

people questions about their beliefs, habits, and level of expertise. An excellent tool for

gathering quantitative data over a relative period of time is a questionnaire. This type of study

makes it easier to employ different strategies for instrument use, data processing, and recruiting

respondents.

Construction of Questionnaire

The questionnaire distributed and collected consisted of fourteen (14) open-ended

questions. The researchers, being tasked with randomly selecting participants to briefly discuss

the objectives of the study tried to engage with respondents while awaiting the responses to be

submitted. The engagement was done on a Thursday afternoon, and that was for various reasons

including convenience for both researchers and respondents. Since the questionnaires were

created via Google Docs, an online platform, each respondent received the link for the

questionnaire via WhatsApp, upon approach.

Most of the participants were pleasant, while a few others clearly said that they did not

want to finish the questionnaire right away after getting home from work. Overall, the experience

was positive because all the necessary data was gathered. When developing the questionnaire,

consideration must be given to participants' privacy and ethical norms. Researchers should

13
ensure that they protect research participants' rights, enhance the validity of their studies, and

maintain their dedication to research by not revealing confidential information.

14
 The DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

The socioeconomic and cultural variables linked to teenage pregnancy were uncovered

by the study's findings, and these factors had a negative impact on the lives of teenage mothers in

the community of Nut Grove. Twenty (20) people, varying in age, gender, and lifestyle, took part

in this study. Along with many interventions targeted at lowering the chance of teenage females

becoming pregnant, the study also discovered a number of resources that teenage mothers

depended on to deal with the difficulties of becoming teenage mothers. The aim of the study is to

determine the effects of pregnancy on the lives of teenage girls in the community of Nut Grove

who are between the ages of thirteen and seventeen.

Of the questionnaires distributed, fourteen (14) closed-ended questions total, most with

four selection alternatives, were included. The reasons behind the creation of the questions were

to discuss the impacts that teenage pregnancy has on the lives of teenage girls, coping strategies

that may be employed to mitigate the detrimental psychological repercussions of adolescent

pregnancy, and ways to find solutions to the social issue. The following charts will illustrate the

data gathered from respondents.

15
 Fig. 1

Figure 1 shows the information gathered indicating that sixty percent (60%) of the

respondents were female, and the remaining forty (40) were male.

Fig. 2

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Figure 2 shows the age range of respondents.

Fig. 3

Figure 3 illustrates the length of time the respondents have resided in Nut Grove.

Fig. 4

17
 Figure 4 displays the effectiveness of sex education in schools.

Fig. 5

Figure 5 exhibits the percentage of villagers who know of someone who has experiences

teenage pregnancy.

Fig. 6

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 Forty-five percent (45%) of respondents indicated that community, family, or social

pressure was the main contributor to teen pregnancy in the community, while thirty-five percent

believed it was due to lack of sexual education. Lack of access to youth-focused activities had

little impact mainly because there are certain activities that the youth are able to attend, just that

some choose not to take advantage of the opportunity.

Fig.7

Fig.8

19
 CONCLUSION

A teenage student’s education and aspirations for the future, are negatively impacted by

teenage pregnancy. This is because teenage mothers periodically miss classes and some classes,

or even drop out of classes/school because their children have now become a priority, along with

other burdens. This issue has been affecting teenagers and society at large both psychologically

and physically. These impacts that teenagers face are usually influenced by multiple factors

including a lack of or minimal communication with parents, family members, or friends, a lack

of knowledge of sexual education, and a history of teenage pregnancy in the family.

This research was conducted mainly to concentrate on how the lives of teenage girls are

affected after pregnancy, what strategies can be employed to help these teenagers cope with the

issue, and what can be done to address the social issue. The purpose of the study was to find out

how pregnancy affects adolescent girls in the community of Nut Grove between the ages of

thirteen and seventeen. The long-term implications of teenage pregnancy, according to this study,

place some restrictions on the daily activities of these teenagers. The results of the investigation

clearly show that the lives of teenage mothers are substantially affected. Based on statistical data,

teenage mothers may experience situations where they may have to drop out of school due to

embarrassment or other difficulties associated with school, along with financial difficulties,

which may have a negative impact on their mental health. Relative to the data gathered, it is

evident that these teenage mothers are not provided with any strategies to assist with lowering

their risk of developing anxiety. Moreover, it is important to provide access to a range of options

in order to mitigate adverse effects after pregnancy. Participants said that although few are

available, more educational opportunities and more sexual health information should be made

available to teenage mothers.

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 According to this study, young mothers envision a better future for themselves

and their children, which contradicts the experts' common belief that young pregnancy and

motherhood are related to disastrous and social failures. The researchers recommend enhancing

support systems and collaborating with experts from a variety of related sectors to help young

moms on their journey. Improving health and achieving better psychological and socioeconomic

outcomes for adolescent moms will be a major policy goal that will support them on their

journey to a better future.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS

The researchers who conducted this survey acknowledged that there are multiple pressing

social issues present in today's society, including teenage pregnancy, which seems to be the most

prevalent. Following their pregnancies, the lives of teenage mothers were adversely impacted,

which led to poor socioeconomic results and few resources for treating mental health issues. A

study was carried out in which community members of Nut Grove were consulted, regarding the

common problem of the lives of teenage mothers following pregnancy. The data was examined

and debated in light of the survey responses, providing a framework for the formulation of the

following recommendations.

1. Parents should be explicit and unambiguous about their expectations for dating

and sexual behavior, as well as their family's beliefs and guidelines for when it's

OK to start dating. Communicate their strong ideas and beliefs about marriage

and sex in an open and honest manner, by maybe saying something like, "I think

people should wait to get married before having sex." Tell them whether you

believe that teenagers in high school are too young to be in a committed

relationship and why. Alternately, if you as a parent believe that having a child is

best done after college, express that. The same is true for using alternative birth

control options or condoms. Whatever your opinions are, you must express them

to your teen in public, and provide justification for your beliefs, in addition to

communicating the risks of early dating to them. (2022034)

2. In light of the reasons behind newborn clinic visits, the government needs to set

up medical facilities or school clinics in secondary schools in order to address the

22
 issues of truancy, absenteeism, and ultimately repeating grades. In addition to

being present for every class, the returning mother will have access to the

amenities. Additionally, the government can offer grants for teenage mothers who

are under the age of eighteen to aid in caring for their child. This will ease some

financial burdens and possibly reduce stress. (2022030)

3. Healthcare providers can inform clients of the sexual and reproductive health

services being offered by the community clinic. They can implement the use of

workshops to increase the life and societal survival skills of adolescent mothers

by raising awareness of their concerns. The goal is to provide an abundance of

knowledge that will help the audience adopt methods to reduce adolescent

pregnancies on a personal level. These healthcare workers can screen and counsel

teenagers for sexual risk behaviors, STD/I’s, and dating, while providing teen-

friendly sexual and reproductive healthcare services. (2022016)

23
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Martin, T. C., Doyle, B., & Raphael, J. (2008). Trends in the prevalence of adolescent births in

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(2016). Improving Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review of

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‌APPENDIX

26
Sample of Questionnaire

As final year students of the Antigua State College, Teacher Education Department, we

will be conducting research for potential impacts teenage mothers endure after pregnancy, for

a Social Studies course. The purpose of this study is to assess how the lives of teenage mothers

in the Nut Grove community, between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, are affected after

pregnancy. In order to propose recommendations to assist with the issue at hand, we will first

need to determine the prevalence of its existence within the community, by gathering and

assessing data from potential villagers and teenagers.

Please assist by responding to the following fourteen (14) questions. Trust that your

responses will remain confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of this study. Thank

you for your time and support. Please proceed by selecting the appropriate responses, and

where necessary, a few comments.

Please select the appropriate responses where necessary:

1. Gender

Male ( ) Female ( )

2. Age Range

15 – 20 yrs ( ) 20 – 30 yrs ( ) 30 – 45 years ( ) 45 yrs + ( )

3. How long have you been a resident of Nut Grove?

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 2 – 3 yrs. ( ) 3 – 6 yrs. ( ) 6 – 9 yrs. ( ) 10 yrs. + ( )

4. At what age do you think sex education should be introduced to girls in the

primary level in Nut Grove?

10 years ( ) 11 years ( ) 12 years ( ) 13 years ( )

5. How effective is the sex education for teenage girls in schools within Nut

Grove?

A. Very effective

B. Effective to some extent

C. Not so effective

D. Not effective at all

6. Do you know any one who has experienced teenage pregnancy?

Yes ( ) No ( )

7. If yes, what factors do you think contributed to this pregnancy?

A. Sexual abuse

B. Community, family or social pressure

C. Little access to youth-focused activities

D. Lack of sexual and reproductive education

8. In your opinion, what do you think about the prevalence of teenage pregnancy

in Nut Grove?

A. Worried about the growing number of teen pregnancies

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 B. Worried that not many persons seem to make it an issue of concern

C. Worried that sexual and reproductive education are not getting through to

teenage girls

D. Not worried about the prevalence of teen pregnancies in the community

9. What challenges do you think teenage girls face after becoming young

mothers?

A. Dropping out of school due to embarrassment, or other difficulties

associated with school

B. The mother may encounter resentment from family members

C. Rejection from friends, social groups, or peers

D. Unable to provide for themselves and their child financially

10. In your opinion, are there enough coping strategies available for teenage

mothers?

A. There are quite a few strategies available

B. There are a few strategies available

C. There are not enough strategies available

D. There are none available

11. Of the following resources, which do you think will help teen mothers cope with

the challenges they may encounter:

A. Sexual education programs

B. Social groups

C. Support groups

D. All of the above

12. Based on your observation, from which of the following do you think teen

mothers seek support from:

A. Father of the child

B. Friends
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 C. Parents

D. School counselor

13. Do you know if any of the following educational opportunities have been made

available to teenage mothers?

A. Continuing education

B. Job programs

C. Options to return to their classroom

D. All of the above

14. As a member of this community, what collective action do you think can be

taken to help reduce the chances of teenage pregnancy?

A. Provide counseling for parents and teenage girls

B. Implement pregnancy prevention programs

C. Encourage schools and other organizations to apply the use of effective

tools, resources, and materials

D. Creating a youth intervention behavioral program

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