Teenage Pregnancy

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines teenage pregnancy rate has increased by 60% in the year 2000- 2010,
according to the Philippine National Statistics Office. This is very alarming. Teenage
pregnancy often occurs between the ages of 15-19 years old, often in this age the girls are
still studying.

With early pregnancy the girls usually have to abandon their education to give birth or
raise their child. Girls who become pregnant are expelled from school especially in a
Catholic School like Lourdes College because it goes against the moral teachings of the
school thus delaying the chance of earning a degree that will help them in providing for
their child. Education becomes a lesser priority and is often delayed until they are able to
leave the children at home are financially stable. But there are girls who are studying as
well as taking care of their child and they are who we call Student Mothers. The burdens for
these girls have double as to they have to take care of school as well as their child at home.

The life of a Student Mother is no easy feat they have to juggle their time between attending
their classes, making their requirements, taking care of their child and taking care of the
house. They become the primary caregiver of their child and are expected to rear their
child well. Many of these student mothers also engage in working part-time to help in the
financial burdens of both studying and caring for the child. But, this becomes another
disadvantage as it takes up time and effort on the part of the Student Mother.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to understand how student mothers cope with their situation towards
their studies and as well as child rearing. More specifically, what are the problems they
have encountered in studying while nurturing their child at home. The study also seeks to
find the coping strategy used by Student Mothers in their circumstances.

With these in mind the purpose of the study is to help the readers understand the
endeavors experienced by student mothers.

The research will ask the following questions:

1. What are the experiences student mothers?

2. What are the coping strategies used by student mothers?
3. What are the learnings of student mothers from their situation?
4. What has helped them most in their situation?

Scope and Limitation

The study covered three (3) student mothers of Lourdes College Higher Education
Department, enrolled in the second semester of S.Y. 2014-2015. The study was mainly
focused on the student mother challenges, coping strategies and realizations. These student
mothers were classified as students of Lourdes College that have a child under seven (7)
years of age.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study will then be beneficial to the following persons and institutions:

Student Mothers. They could gain insight about their situation and be aware of their
responsibilities as both parent and student.

Students. They will gain deeper understanding about the reality of student mothers and
most importantly for them to learn about the experiences of student mothers.

Researchers. They will broaden their knowledge about the experiences of student mothers
in a college.

Guidance Counselors. The findings and observations would provide them relevant data that
can be utilized in their counseling interventions.

Administration and Faculty. This will provide them information to promote, enhance
understanding and support to programs concerning student mothers to help them cope in
their situation.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

From 2000 to 2010, the number of live births by teenage mothers in the Philippines rose by
more than 60 percent, latest data from the National Statistics Office showed.

Another alarming fact is that the number of teenage mothers who gave birth to their
second or third child during their teenage year has increased in the last 10 years. This is
according to the data shown in the press conference in Quezon City by Carmelita Ericta,
administrator and civil registrar general of the National Statistics Office. ( Ime Morales, July
9, 2013) Teenage pregnancy is a global issue and a major contributor to school drop-out
among girls. Permanent expulsion was one of the solutions made for teenage pregnancy
but this has been proven ineffective and unfair to the girls. Now there is a return to school
policy where a student is temporarily dismissed from school due to teenage pregnancy to
further pursue their education.(Okeyo, 2012)

As stated by Brown and Amankwaa (2007) “As more female college students are involved
in sexual relationships their risk of conception increases. However, when pregnancy occurs
it is only the woman who bears the burden and risk of the pregnancy and in most cases
child care.“ often these types of pregnancy are unplanned or planned caring for a child
becomes a full time job. Having a child while being a student becomes stressful because
child rearing consumes time and energy, with a few exemptions the women are the
primary care giver of the child. ( Hofferth, Reid, & Mott, 2001 as cited by Brown &
Amankwaa, 2007). According to Kidwell (2004), rearing a child while being s full-time
student may be daunting and difficult however, it will be easier if she has a partner or a
family member who can help her in taking care of the child.

With the increase of higher education students, 10% of this population areparents or
mothers who are hoping to give their children a better future and attending to their needs
through receiving a degree. These nontraditional students are often Student Mothers and
should be given special attention because aside from their role as student they are also
mothers and care givers at home. Many see or consider their families a hindrance to their
education which is wrong they should see it as a motivator because primarily, Student
mother go back to studying because they want to provide for their child. (Wilsey, 2013)

When pregnant students and student mothers are expected to subordinate their needs and
desires to those of their children and families, they are forced to grapple with the
conflicting roles of motherhood and studentship (Berg & Mamhute, 2013). Brown &
Amankwaa, (2007) stated that parenting is a very stressful and some women cannot
handle all the tasks involved especially the first time mothers and need help or assistance
from the people around them. Although having someone help the mother is good but the
expectation of receiving support after giving birth to a baby often causes Stressors that may
lead to depression during postpartum period. Many student mothers have expressed
feelings of guilt, worry and inadequacy in both as a student and as a mother.( Thompson,
2004)

Though not always does being a student mother have negative effect, it also has positive
effects. Story (1999), as cited by Brown & Amankwaa (2007), has found out that student
mothers are more responsible than those of regular students. He has seen that girls who
were irresponsible before pregnancy has become more responsible after pregnancy and
ismore less likely to drop out of College than the regular students.

For women who juggle family and student responsibilities, the lack of time is one of the
major issues faced. (Liversidge, 2004) Many student mothers use different coping
strategies to adjust to their situation. As stated by Grohman (2009), student mothers
depend on time management to handle the many different tasks of a student mother.
Another coping cited by Grohman & Renelamn (2009) is managing tasks to handle the
things needed to be done as both student and a mother as well as emotional and physical
support from both the partner and parents of the student mother.

Okey (2012) has said student-mothers go through a number of challenges as they live
double lives as mothers and students. Often challenges are faced like lack of support due to
other factors like lack of finances and time being limited.
A study by Boutan (2012) shows the feeling of student mother in regards to lifestyle she
said thaGale (her participant) said she juggles multiple lifestyles as a full-time student and
a full-time mom. This does make her feel disconnected from campus life.

Due to student mothers’ situation being difficult they have adapted coping mechanism.
According to Okeyo (2012), Their coping mechanisms included: problem-focused,
avoidance and emotion-focused strategies and the support they received upon resuming
studies were spiritual and social support.

It was argued that raising a child involves a great deal of financial, emotional, and practical
planning (Kidwell, 2004). it is necessary to make sure that there are adequate child care
resources available. This may be very difficult to do if the student is going to school full-
time. However, if the student decides to remain in school and take care of the child it may
be more fpossibleif she has a partner or family member who will provide additional help to
care for the child (Kidwell, 2004). Parenting is very stressful and some women cannot deal
with all of the tasks that are involved. It is best if there are people around who are there to
assist. Although it is best to have family, friends and spousal support after giving birth to a
baby this expectation often causes Stressors that may lead to depression during the
postpartum period. (Brown &Amankwaa, 2007)

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

In this study a qualitative exploratory design was used, allowing the researchers to get an
in-depth understanding of the socio-educational problems faced by Student Mothers.
Qualitative research has the advantage of uncovering the lived experiences of individuals
by enabling them to interpret and attribute meaning to their experiences and in the
process construct their worlds (Merriam and Simpson 2000, as cited in Berg &Mamhute,
2013)

Respondents of the Study

Respondents of the study are the student mothers of Lourdes College, in the second
semester of S.Y. 2014-2015. There were a number of three (3) identified single mothers in
Lourdes College who volunteered and provided time to participate in this study.

Research Instrument

The primary tool used in gathering data was in a form of a one-on-one interview with the
respondents. The interview was focused on the challenges, coping strategies, realizations of
student mothers.

Sampling Procedure
In this study, the researcher used purposive sampling in which the researcher chose only
student mothers who are caring for a child below seven (7) years of age and are studying in
Lourdes College.

Data Gathering Procedure

Prior to data gathering, the researcher prepared an informed consent letter to be given to
the respondents of the study, voluntary participation was highly emphasized in the letter of
consent.

The data-gathering procedure was done in a form of one-to-one interview in which the
researcher took written notes. All interviews were tape recorded. The interviews were
informal and open ended, and carried out in a conversational style.

Results

1. Profile of respondents:

NAME AGE COURSE AGE OF CHILD

Respondent 1 Ione 27 BSSA 4 years
Respondent 2 Dianne 21 BSSW 1 year
Respondent 3 Tepa 23 BSSW 4 years

2. Experiences of Student Mothers:

For Ione (27), her experiences are that its tiring, struggling with subjects, concentration,
especially when at home and doing her homework, and time management.

As for Dianne (21) her experience and struggle is that she struggles to manage her time
between school, the child and for herself.

And for Tepa (23), time management is the most difficult part for her. She stated that she
needs to wake-up early and prepare especially now that her son is going to school.

3. Coping strategies of student mothers:

For Ione (27), she copes by focusing on school and home separately another coping is that
thinking positive and being optimistic and going with the flow.

As for Dianne (21), her coping is working hard and praying.

And as for Tepa (23) she copes by not getting stressed being optimistic and being
welcomed by her child at home.

4. Factors that helped them:

For Ione (27), her biggest factor that helped her cope being a student mother is her
Husband, For Dianne (21),its being accepted by her family and friends. And for Tepa (23)
she views her mother as the biggest factor that has helped her.

5. Learnings of student mothers:

As for Ione (27) she has learned that being a student mother is not easy but challenging.
She also learned that a s a mother she needs to learn to set her priorities. And she learned
that one should grab the opportunity to learn and study while still single.

Dianne (21) learned that one should not be careless in choosing partners and achieve your
goals despite having a child.

And Tepa (23) learned that you should not panic and should be knowledgeable of the
consequences of your actions.

Discussion

Time management is seen as the common obstacle for these student mothers. Because the
live double lives as a mother and as a student, they struggle to split their time to
accommodate all their responsibilities. This is supported by Grohamm (2009) work,
student mothers greatly depend on time management.

For coping the respondents commonly rely on being positive and not being stressed about
their situation. As for the factors they consider that greatly helped them cope the common
factor was the help of family members and husband. This is supported be works of Kidwell
(2004), Thompson(20014 and Okeyo(2012) that it lessens the burden on the student
mother if there are people around her who can help in caring for the child. This is evident
as stated by Ione (27) that when she has things she needs to do at home her husband is the
one who takes care of the child and as for Tepa (23) she stated that her mother has helped
her both financially and caring for the child at home.

The most common learning of the student mothers is that one should not be rash and
should know the consequences of their actions.

Conclusion

Time management is the biggest obstacle of being a student mother as you need to divide
your time between school and caring for the child. As for the coping strategy it is seen that
the having a positive outlook is effective in handling different situations as a student
mother.

REFLECTION
 Overall, in this project I learn that being a teen mom is a tiring thing. We should not
do inappropriate things in early age, even though babies are cute but like I said before you
know if you have his kid he will not care at all. Then, you will be the only raising this child
and how can a kid have a baby? Learning to protect yourself is really important, you should
learn about things before something started to happen and then everything will be too late
to turn back. More than half of all mothers on welfare had their first child as a teenager. In
fact, two-thirds of families begun by a young, unmarried mother are poor. Children who
live apart from their fathers are 5 times more likely to be poor than children with both
parents at home. The daughters of young teen mothers are 3 times more likely to become
teen mothers themselves. The sons of teen mothers are twice as likely to end up in prison.
I’m sure no one wants their next generation be the same as you. Its time to make the world
a better place.

We should start producing some films about teen pregnancy. Who wants those
entertaining films anyways and waste a bunch of money on them? If there is films about
preventing teen pregnancy then people will learn how to avoid teenage pregnancy and will
have a brighter idea about it. Putting the films on all those famous TV programs that youth
will watch would have a better result. Then, there will be a chance of reducing teen
pregnancy each year. Its a fact that the Philippines has the most birth rate each year which
is a sad thing to say. I’m sure the president would like to solve this embarrassing problem.

Preventing teen pregnancy is a really important thing. We don’t want to have a baby
at a young age. A baby can’t have a baby. If you do, your education will be totally ruined and
you life will be too. We should delay sex if you are at a young age, education is important.
You should ask adult about it. There is no need to be embarrassed about it. Parents need to
talk to their children about sex before they reach puberty. We need to have some type of
sex education courses in our school system. Parents need to give their children positive
examples. If you are a pregnant teen, make sure that your boyfriend stays with you. If you
are the father of a baby, don't run away from your responsibility. It is the worse thing you
can do to a mother and a child. Last but not the least, if you are an expectant parent, never
abort your baby, because that baby is a gift from God but given in advance.

Teenage pregnancy is a huge problem in the Philippines. Almost half the federal
funds collected for welfare goes to single, unwed mothers. I think the problem starts at
home. If you don't talk to your children about sex and all of the responsibilities that go with
it before children hit puberty, then there's no way that they are going to know about
sexually transmitted diseases or that you can get pregnant the first time that you have sex.
Parents have to set examples for their children to follow. If your mother and father, for
example, were both alcoholics, then you would have a lot of will-power to fight falling into
the same web.