THE EFFECTS OF

TEENAGE PREGNANCY
[Document subtitle]

SOCI1001
STEPHENIE CHARLES: 312100708
March 11th 2016
TOPIC: The Effects of Teenage Pregnancy on a young lady’s life.

Introduction/ Problem Statement

Pregnancy for most mothers is a wonderful experience, however, teenage pregnancy can be a

nightmare, full of challenges that may seriously affect the teenager’s future. Teenage

pregnancy affects every aspect of a young woman’s physical, emotional and social well -

being. These effects manifest themselves during pregnancy as well as after the birth of the

infant. Teenage pregnancy refers to a young lady who became pregnant during her teenage

years which is between the age of thirteen (13) and nineteen (19) years. Typically, a teenager

lacks the physical and emotional skills necessary to cope with pregnancy and motherhood.

Pregnancy and motherhood is better handled by mature individuals, who are patient and

possess the ability to handle the stress that may result from carrying and bringing up a child

successfully. During a girl’s teenage years she would more than likely be attending school or

if she is in her latter teenage years may be in an entry level, low paying job. Being pregnant

during these years may interfere with her schooling, work and social activities. Her health may

be at risk and she may face discrimination from peers, teachers, employers, family members

and the general public. Having experienced all of the above as a result of being a teenage

mother, I would like to tell my story and try to assist wherever possible to make a difference in

the lives of teenage mothers. In addition, I would like to contribute to the formulation of

policies and programmes that would be aimed at the reduction of the incidence of teenage

pregnancy.

1
Background

According to an article published in the Trinidad Express on 4th February, 2014,

Ms. RIA Taitt quoted sentiments of Dr. Tim Goopeesingh where he divulged some statistics on

teenage pregnancy in Trinidad and Tobago, between 2008 and 2012, he stated that,

“Four (4) primary school students became pregnant during the period 2008 and 2012, of them

three completed their secondary school education. During the same period there were one

hundred and fifty-three (153) recorded cases of secondary school teenage pregnancy. Of these,

eighty-one returned to school, however, only fifty-four (54) completed their secondary level

education.” Dr. Goopeesingh also revealed that during his practice as a gynecologist, ten in

every fifteen attending antenatal clinic were teenagers. These statistics are very alarming for a

country with a population of just over one million people.

Justification

At the age of eighteen (18) years I became pregnant and was faced with physical, emotional

and social challenges that retarded my self-development and affected my life. I would like an

opportunity to tell my story and see how it compares to the experiences of others who were in a

similar situation. Further to my person experience growing up in the Roy Joseph housing

community I have witness an increase of teenage pregnancy on an annually basis. In addition, I

would like to make recommendations that can assist young girls who may be faced with this

dilemma and also to contribute to the development of policies that would be geared to the

reduction of teenage pregnancy.

2
RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Does a pregnant teenager face discrimination and how does she respond to such?

2. How does being pregnant affect a teenager’s physical, mental and social well-being?

3. How does a teenage mother cope with her financial obligations?

4. What can be done to assist pregnant teenage girls to cope with their situation and what

can be done to reduce the occurrence of teenage pregnancy?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Teenage pregnancy is not a new phenomenon. According to an article written by Corey

Connelly “teenage pregnancy is an old age problem that has been destroying the lives of young

girls”. Teenage pregnancy does not only result in girlhood being interrupted it also has a

devastating effect. In some case the teenage age mother has distinct difficulty in negotiating

her way successfully through the stages of pregnancy.

According to Julia Bodeeb (2015)

Teenage pregnancy can prove to be challenging for the mother due to her level of

immaturity and ability to manage stress that is related to teenage pregnancy. There are

medical complications that can arise during pregnancy, which can affect both mother and

child. The demands of being pregnant and the uncertainty of their future may result in

depression, emotional crisis, neglect to the infant, drug addiction, troubled finances and

exhaustion.

3
Based on studies done by the Urban Child Institute

Teenage mothers frequently believe that abandoning school would solve their problems and

they would not have to deal with any humiliating situations. In addition, the teenage mother

tends to be very irritated and takes out their frustration on the child especially when

disciplining him or her. The teenage mother often ends up resenting the child because of

anger and depression they may be enduring. Another problem the teenage mother often faces

is that when the father who is usually a teen like her disappears because of the stress of his

parenting responsibility. The Urban Child Institute also believes that teenage pregnancy

affects level of education and unemployment, which can trigger poverty and crime. Although

studies revealed that most children born to teenage mothers repeat their parents’ behaviour,

there are a few teenage parents who sacrifice everything to ensure that their offspring’s do

better than they did. If a child grows up with a strong social and emotional foundation they

would not go astray.

According to StayTeen.org three (3) in every ten (10) teenage girls in the United States of

America become pregnant before attaining age twenty (20). Pregnancy affects teens physically

emotionally, academically and socially. Most pregnant teens rarely receive pre-natal care,

which may result in birth defects, premature birth or low birth rate. Teens are also at risk for

developing pregnancy induced hypertension and elevated blood pressure. The hormonal effect

on teen moms can place them at a higher risk of developing post partum depression than older

women. Academic drop out rate among teen mothers in the United State of America is high,

only about half of teen mothers earn a high school diploma by the time they turn twenty-two

4
(22). Both the teenager’s social the financial situation becomes compromised because of the

strain of parenting and having to earn an income to survive comfortably.

The central statistical office reported that there were over two thousand five hundred cases of

teenage pregnancy each year. In addition, the University of the West Indies faculty of Medical

Science reported that by age nineteen (19) more than one thousand (1000) women had four (4)

children already.

Methodology

The methodology in this study are as follows. The Research Design, geographical location of

the study, sampling plan and design. Instrument used for the collection of data, data analysis as

well as limitation and ethical consideration.

Research Design

Research design according to Burns and Grove (2003: 195) is “a blue print for conducting a

study with maximum control over factors that may interfere with the validity of the finding”

The aim of this study is to understand the effect of teenage pregnancy on the physical,

emotional and social well-being during and after pregnancy. I am going to focus on a

population of pregnant teens and mothers located in a Housing Development in South

Trinidad. It is my intention to show a design plan that captures parahoo (1997:142) description

where he states that a research design is “a plan that describe, how, when and where. How am I

going to achieve this? Simple by employing a qualitative research method to this study. Why

qualitative research? Because unlike quantitative research which is statistical in nature

qualitative research relates to people lives, behavior, emotions feelings and cultural

phenomenon. The teenage mothers under study will be treated as living human being, instead

5
of a mere statistic. Additional qualitative approach grants the researcher the facility to become

compassionate to the participants who are being researched. Sampling Plan/Sampling Design

The research population according to Unit 5: 1 is generally a large collection of individual or

objects that is the main focus of the study. However in most cases when conducting a research

it is impossible to engage the entire research population a sample or subset of the population

will be studied. I have confined this research to pregnant teens and teenage mother residing in

Roy Joseph Housing Development, Victoria West San Fernando because of my direct

interaction. This housing development is predominately low and middle income African

families. The sample size will comprise of fifteen (15) teenage who meets a specific criteria

namely:

 Pregnant teens between the ages of thirteen (13) – nineteen (19) yrs.

 Teenager mothers between the ages thirteen (13) - nineteen (19) yrs. who have one or

more than one child.

 Must be a resident of the Roy Joseph Housing Development

This will be done by using the non- probability (flexible, inexpensive and generates ideas and

feedbacks) purposive sampling technique. My selection was also based on the covert (those

researched are not cognizant of being studied) observation of the population over a two years

period. My selection was also centered on my familiarity with the participants in that it gives

them the opportunity to open up and express themselves freely. In doing so the information

they provide will be valuable to the conclusion of the study.

6
Data Collection Plan

As previously indicated a qualitative research method will be engaged in this study. Data

collection in qualitative research are either through:

 In-depth interviews where the researchers a one on one conservation with the

participants.

 Focus group where the interviews are carried out in groups rather that ha individual.

 Observation either covertly or overtly where the researcher observes the population

under study over a period of time.

 Content analysis where data is collected through perusal of books, newspaper,

manuscript etc.

I have opted to use covert observation over a two years period since it gives me the prospect of

observing the participants behavior in their natural setting without any interference. This will

then be complemented by personal in-depth interview where I can learn of the participant’s

perspective and experience. To ensure privacy I have decided to conduct the interviews

outside the community. Permission will be obtained for the usage of the nearby Health Center

and each participants will be given a specific time for their interview. The interviews will be

conducted by me as I feel I can put the participant at ease thus receiving honest and truthful

answers. The interview will be recorded and will last no longer than forty- five (45) minutes. I

will introduce open ended questions to intensely probe the participant on their experiences.

Furthermore these interviews will allow more flexibility enabling me to rephrase or modify

questions based on the responses of the participants.

7
Data Analysis Plan

Limitation/Ethical Consideration

In this study I anticipate a few limitation that includes:

 The sample size will not precisely represent all teenage pregnancy within the

community.

 All the participant could end up being selected from low income family and if this

occurs an additional study may be needed.

 Parents may not be inclined to consent to the study given the circumstances

surrounding their daughter pregnancy.

 The stipulated time for interviews may last longer as this is the first avenue where the

participant are getting to vent and express about their issues.

Honesty and integrity is what required when conducting research. The researcher must

guarantee participants are protected. Given the sensitivity of this research consent

confidentiality, and anonymity will be observed. Some ethical consideration for this study are

as follows:

8
 Consent from parents will be sought from parents or legal guardian of the teenage

mothers.

 Written permission to conduct this research study will be obtained from the Roy

Joseph Housing Development.

 Having been a teenage mother at no time during interview will I introduce any bias by

stating my point of views or life experience?

 All respondent will be given written assurance that confidentiality will be preserved

and findings from this research will not be made public.

 Participants will also be assured that they can suspend the interview if at any phase

they begin to feel uncomfortable.

 At no time during the interview will they be requested to divulge the identity of the

fathers.

9
Reference

Bodeeb, J. Last updated: (April 14th 2015). Effects of Teenage Pregnancy

Calhoun,C: Keller S. (1994). Sociology 6th Edition.U.S.A. Mc Graw

Teens: A Crisis

How Adolescent Parenting Affects Children, Families, and Communities

http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/editorials/how-adolescent-

parenting-affects-children-families-and-communities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research

http://www.livestrong.com/article/86972-effects-teenage-pregnancy

How Does Being Pregnant Affect a Teen Mother?

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/being-pregnant-affect-teen-mother-11210.html

Motley, Natasha. (2016) UWI Open Campus Course Material. SOC1 Introduction to Social

Research. Unit 8

Taitt, R. The Trinidad and Tobago Express Newspaper dated 4th February, 2014 Rape Horror

Resnik, David B. J.D, Ph.D. (Dec. 1 2015) What is Ethic in Research & Why it is Important

10
Rossman, G. and Rallis, S. (1998). Learning in the field: An Introduction to qualitative

research. Sage Publications.

11