ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The completion of this assignment would not have been done without the assistance and cooperation of a number of people. Firstly I would like to thank GOD for giving me the health and strength needed in carrying out this assignment. My teacher as well played a significant part in the completion of this assignment with her tips and guidance and finally a big thanks to the residents of Tarrant who participated in the service and to my family who helped me by providing the resources needed in the completion of this assignment.

INTRODUCTION
The community of Tarrant is located in the parish of St. Andrew, and is about 1 km from the parish capital Half Way Tree. There is an estimated 150 household located in this community. The researcher chose this area of study due to the fact that it is a Social Contemporary Issue. Teenage Pregnancy has been one of the most shied away from issue, in the view of the researcher this issue which affects us all needs to be brought to the forefront of our social, spiritual and political discussions. Another reason is that Teenage Pregnancy has been on an increase not only in Jamaica but the world at large and has been the reasons behind other widely view societal issues such as: Over Population, Child Abuse and Poverty. Teenage Pregnancy has caused a dramatic increase the countrys poverty level and an increase in the number of street children. In the researchers view finding the causes and the possible effects of Teenage Pregnancy will help to stem the increased rate of poverty and decreased the number of street children. The researcher is to conduct a survey in the community of Tarrant, located in the parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica. Finally, the researcher through the information gathered would suggest to the relevant authorities strategies and policies they can implement to stem the cases of Teenage Pregnancy.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

What are the causes and solutions of teenage pregnancy in the community of Tarrant, St. Andrew? The researcher would like to answer the following through the survey being conducted: 1. What are the causes of Teenage Pregnancy? 2. How does Teenage Pregnancy affects the community? 3. Who is responsible for finding the solutions to Teenage Pregnancy? 4. What can be done to reduce the cases of Teenage Pregnancy? 5. What effects does Teenage Pregnancy have on the victim?

METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
For the purpose of this investigation, the researcher chose to use printed questionnaires.

The questionnaire as a tool of investigation for collecting data has a number of advantages.

They are very cost effective when compared to face-to-face interviews. This is especially true for studies involving large sample sizes and large geographic areas. Written questionnaires become even more cost effective as the number of research questions increases. Questionnaires are easy to analyze. Data entry and tabulation for nearly all surveys can be easily done with many computer software packages. Questionnaires are familiar to most people. Nearly everyone has had some experience completing questionnaires and they generally do not make people apprehensive. Questionnaires reduce bias. There is uniform question presentation and no middleman bias. The researcher's own opinions will not influence the respondent to answer questions in a certain manner. There are no verbal or visual clues to influence the respondent. Questionnaires are less intrusive than telephone or face-to-face surveys. When a respondent receives a questionnaire in the mail, he/she is free to complete the questionnaire on his own time-table. Unlike other research methods, the respondent is not interrupted by the research instrument. 4

INSTRUMENT USED TO COLLECT DATA

Study of the causes of teenage pregnancy in the community of Tarrant, St. Andrew Dear Citizen,

This is a research being conducted in the community of Tarrant and as such aims to find out the causes of teenage pregnancy in the community and the ways this social issue maybe prevented. This investigation is an assignment for a Social Studies School Based Assessment.

You are advised to answer the following questions honestly and truthfully. Since your name is not required there is no way in which you the candidate might be traced and no one would know who answered in a particular way. Remember each answer id based on a personal opinion, there is no wrong or right answer. Some questions require you to tick a box e.g. . Other instructions are given where else necessary.

Thank you.

Yours truly, K. Miller

QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLE
Teenage Pregnancy

1. Sex Male Female

2. How old are you?

12-15 16-20 21- 35 Over 35

3. Which ethnic group do you belong?

African descent

Mixed descents

Indian descent

4. How long have you been living in Tarrant?

____ Years

5. Teenage Pregnancy can be defined as an individual who is pregnant before reaching the age of legal adulthood. Do you believe this definition is acceptable?

Yes

No

If NO give a definition. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

6. Are you or anyone you know a victim of teenage pregnancy?

Yes

No

7. Do you believe Teen Pregnancy is a major problem in the community?

Yes

No 8. Do you know about any government public educating campaign on Teenage Pregnancy?

Yes

No

9. Who do you believe is to be blamed for Teen Pregnancy?

Government

Parents

Teenagers

Other

10. Do you believe the government is doing enough to prevent Teenage Pregnancy?

Yes

NO

11. What do you believe is the major cause of Teenage Pregnancy?

_______________________________________________________

12. Which age group do you believe most at risk of becoming victims of Teenage Pregnancy?

12- 15

16-18

13. What do believe can be done to reduce Teenage Pregnancy?

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

14. Who do you believe is responsible for finding a solution for Teenage Pregnancy? _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ 15. What effect do you think Teenage Pregnancy has on the individual (Victim)? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

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PROCEDURES USED TO COLLECT DATA

As stated in the introduction, the community of Tarrant has an estimated 150 households. It was calculated that a sample of 20% was required in order to ensure accurate conclusions on the investigation of teenage pregnancy. 20% of 150 = 30.

The researcher therefore chose to distribute a total of 30 questionnaires by a process of random selection.

The lot number for each house was placed on a piece of paper and placed in a box and the box was shaken vigorously to ensure a mixture of the numbers. A total of 30 numbers were then drawn. The questionnaires were then distributed on December 14, 2012 and were expected to be returned and collected on December 23, 2012. A total of thirty questionnaires were distributed whereas only twenty was returned and collected on the date scheduled for their collection.

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PRESENTATION AND EXPLANATION OF DATA

A total amount of 30 questionnaires were distributed to the community members, out of which 20 were returned. Of which 50% were male and 50% were female.

Years Of Residence of Respondents

9 6 5 Over 10 6 - 10 Yrs 1 - 5 Yrs 1 1 - 5 Yrs 6 - 10 Yrs Over 10

10 8 6 4 2 0

Fig 1: Length of residence of candidates Figure 1, shows the years of residence of the respondents. It can be observed that 25% of the candidates live in the community of Tarrant between 1 to 5 years, 25% of candidates live there between 6 to 10 years and only 30% of candidates live there over 10 years.

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Females Male

Fig 2: A Pie Chart showing the gender of the candidates As in Figure 2 50% of the candidates was females and 50% were male.

other lack of parenting peer pressure lack of education 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Causes of Teenage Pregnancy Fig 3: A Bar chart showing the responses of the candidates as to The Cause of Teenage Pregnancy. It was observed that 50% of the respondents of the questionnaire agreed that a lack of proper education was the major cause of teenage pregnancy. This may also play a part in 13

the growth of other issues facing the community. Fig 3 also indicates that 25% of the respondents believe that peer pressure is the cause of teenage pregnancy; a lack of parenting was the cause said 15% of the respondents and where as the remaining 10% shared varied views such as: Curiosity The influence of pornography Sexual abuse

% of Respondents
45% 15% 15% 15% 10%

Possible Solutions
Abstaining from sexual activities Government public educating programs Sex education in school Play a sport Regular Usage of condoms

Fig 4: A Table showing how the respondents believe Teenage Pregnancy can be reduced or solved Figure 4 shows that majority of the respondents agreed that abstaining from sexual activities, 45% shared that view where as 15% thinks the ministry of education needs to implement sex education classes in the secondary institutions. Another 15% said that teens need to find sports to occupy there spare-time and the remaining 10% said that teens should use condoms regularly.

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comm. 5%

Parents 23%

Schools 48%

Govern. 24%

Fig 5: A Black and White Pie Chart Showing who the respondents thinks is responsible for the increased in Teenage Pregnancy Figure shows the respondents views on who is to be blamed for the recent increase in the cases of Teenage Pregnancy, 48% said schools were responsible this maybe due to a lack of sex education classes as seen in Fig 4, 24% said that the government is to be blamed, 23% said the parents were to be blamed and the remaining 5% said the community was to be blamed.

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100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Yes No

Fig 6: A 3-D Cone Chart showing if the respondents think teenage pregnancy is a major problem in the community. In Figure 6, 90% of the respondents have the view that Teenage Pregnancy is a major problem in the society, where as only 10% believe it was not.

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INTERPRETATION OF DATA
It was observed that 45% of the respondents have been living in the community of Tarrant between 6 10 years. This ensures that the data is precise and that the respondents have a general idea of the activities of the community. The following analysis of data shows no gender bias as 50% of the respondents were female and the other 50% were male.

Majority of the respondents express the view that teenage Pregnancy is a major problem in the community; this was shown by 90% of the respondents. This maybe caused by the following which were listed out by the respondents: A lack of education, this seem to be the biggest factor due to the fact that 50% of the respondents expressed this view, the second largest percentage was 25%, which is the influence of peer pressure and the third largest percentage has at 15% and this is the factor of proper parenting. There are other factors which are to be raised such as the impact of pornography which may lead the teenager to experimenting which may lead to the outcome of a unwanted pregnancy.

Abstaining from sexual activities was view as solution of Teenage Pregnancy; this was widely expressed by the respondents at 45%. Public educating programs were view of the next best solution along with sex educational classes in the secondary educational institutions. Schools were view as the cause for an increase in the recent cases of teenage pregnancy at 48% of the respondents shared that views where as government was the second reason at 24%.

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STATEMENT OF FINDINGS
The investigation conducted has found the following:

1. Teenage Pregnancy is a major problem in the society on a whole, causing an increase in the poverty level of Jamaica.

2. Education is a major factor in the increase of teenage pregnancies.

3. Government has done little to nothing to change the number of pregnant teens.

4. Schools are badly view in the eyes of citizen as a negative influence, driving the cases of pregnant teens.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
The government of Jamaica needs to show that they are concerned with such topics in the country as teenage pregnancy. The ministry of education needs to implement sexual educational classes in the secondary institutions to inform teens on teenage pregnancy, the negatives of it and how they can play a positive part in society by not participate in sexual activities.

The government should keep parenting seminars on how parents can play a positive role in the lives of their teenagers. Guidance counselor can be specially trained to discussion these and other matters in relation to the life of a teen growing into an adult and the challenges that comes with it. Parents can control what their teenagers are watching on the television by blocking certain channels which contain sexual activities.

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