A Case Study on Teenage Pregnancy
John Chirst Lachica
Nowadays, it is more painful to lost your phone than to lost your virginity. It is an age where all
things are instant; relationship, career; values etc. it is the stage of human generation where we
establish more on emotional stability than holistic development.
Teenage pregnancy has been a worldwide issue that needs to be confronted to mitigate the
problems of maternal adolescent childbearing, especially in the third world countries. In fact, it has
emerged to be one of the major public health problems in South Asia (Raj et al., 2010) and in Western
Europe (Seamarck, 2001). It is reported in India that adolescent pregnancy is one of the serious health
threats for women aged 15-19 years old (Patra, 2016). In Nigeria, the ratio of teenage mothers to
women in their 20s who actually die during pregancy and childbirth is 5:1. In addition, they likely have
more higher mortality rates for infants (Amoran, 2012).
The above-mentioned literatures that are cited is depicting the global platforms on the issues
regarding teenage pregnancy. It shows that the said issues are not just confronted by a single form or
unit of society but also it exists across the globe. However, the countries belong to the south globe or
also known as third world countries are the ones who experienced the issues dramatically and the
number of populations is highly disturbing.
Focused in the state of the Philippines; it has the same predicament regarding teenage
pregnancy. Due to the official ranking of the United Nation Population Fund Agency in 2012, the number
of teenage pregnancies, aged 10-19 years old, have increased to 70% over the last ten years. As a result,
this has imposed a huge problem towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals that puts
the country in red alert (Philippine News Agency, 2012). Moreover, 14% of the teenage girls in the age
bracket of 15-19 were reported for the first time to be already mothers or have had several children in
the 2014 survey of Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality as compared to the 8% of the 2002 survey (Au-
Yeung, 2014). Among the reasons identified, the major causes of teenage pregnancies are limited access
to sexual education and sexual health services. This is contrary to the church teachings’ alternative
methods of family planning. New technology is also considered as one of the major culprits to the
increased number of teenage pregnancy cases. Occasionally, teenagers get hooked to different social
networking sites such as Facebook, Online Dating, Instagram, etc. using their smartphones, notebooks
and tablets. Due to easy access to new technology and the curiosity of teenagers to engage in sexual
activities without appropriate knowledge about family planning and contraception’s, it often ends up
with unplanned pregnancy.
Objective of the Study
1. Know if they are prepared for the role of a mother despite their young ages.
2. Determine how far can teenagers go to get rid of the unwanted pregnancy.
Result
According to Mrs. Key Informant Number 1 an 18-year-old teenage mother told the researcher that
"When I first got my period, they told me I am already a grown-up. I have seen changes in my body.
But, I don't know how to be a real grown-up..." this statement from Mrs. M helps the readers to
understand that young mothers are not yet aware of being a girl; a lady and being a woman. Majority
are not even aware of the functions of the reproductive system and how it really works. They did not
even the health risk that may cause it to them.
Moreover, according to Mrs. Key Informant Number 2 an 16-year-old said that "I have so many
questions in mind about relationships, love, death, and sex. But I am afraid and shy to ask my parents
about these things because I know they are not open about it. That is why I find ways to figure it
out..." by these concerns they explore the world the other way around that is not safe and not guided
with the good people that may helps them to understand diverse things around them. They go thru the
things that are really highly dangerous both in health and mind.
One of the highlighted answers from key informants (which is the same sentiment from Mrs. KI1
and Mrs. KI2) that "It was late when I realized that my parents were right. If I just listened to them, I
will not have an early pregnancy. I might finish my schooling then.” This statement is just simple but
has a very deep and stable impact to their realizations in life. That if they were not become young
mother they still striving for their dreams. Some young mothers lose their hope because they were
bombarded with so many challenges specifically financial and social treatment. They were judged and
discriminated that is why they lose their confidence to pursue their goals in life.
Conclusion
Note: The study is a very sensitive topic but the researcher chooses those key informants that is
close to (me) and a neighbor also.
1. Majority of young mothers are not yet prepared of being becoming full-blown mother. They
don’t even know how to protect their social well-being that may danger their health and
even the life of their children.
2. Majority has a regret to their actions and have a real and deep realizations in life that
somehow helps them to handle things in their challenging life.
Recommendations
1. The Local Government thru the function of the Rural health Unit and Municipal Social Welfare
Development must have a Continuous and sustained program that may inform the young ones
on how to protect their well-being. Specifically, the function of the reproductive system and the
effects and dangers to the health of being a young mother.
2. Inclusive learning both in school and community about reproductive health and responsible
parenthood that helps parent to guide their children in order to lessen and prevent teenage
pregnancy.
