Chapter I

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Here in the Philippines, we believe in the saying of our national hero Dr. Jose P.

Rizal that “Youth is the hope of our Mother land”. In their hand lies the future generation

to follow. But as we see from the situation nowadays, what was expecting from the youth

is the contrary if the saying. Teenagers are prone to pregnancy. Almost every year there

is a rapid increase on the number of pregnant youths. One of the major causes of this

problem is that most of the youths nowadays grew up in broken homes. Parents either the

father or mother of the youths chose to leave their children behind because of the fact that

they cannot handle anymore their obligation as parents.

Adolescent pregnancies are global problem that occurs in high, middle, and low

income countries. Around the world, adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in

marginalized communities, commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and

employment opportunities (Darroch J, Woog V, Bankole A, Ashford LS., 2016).

Adolescence is a stage where teenagers adjust in their physical and emotional changes in

life (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). Teenagers prefer to go with their peers rather than with

their parents due to strong peer pressure. Early adolescence also represent the period of

sexual maturation(Montgomery 2003). One of the issues that they may encounter is

teenage pregnancy which causes drop outs among female secondary students (Brindis

and Philber, 2003). This scenario is conspicuous for educators, policy makers and the

public, hence, imposed to be a major problem of the society (Spear 2004).The global
adolescent birth rate has declined from 65 births per 1000 women in 1990 to 47 births per

1000 women in 2015 (UN DESA, 2017). Approximately 16 million girls aged 15 to 19

years and 2.5 million girls under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions

(UNFPA, 2015). Despite this overall progress, because the global population of

adolescents continues to grow, projections indicate the number of adolescent pregnancies

will increase globally by 2030, with the greatest proportional increases in West and

Central Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa (UNFPA, 2013).

The frequency of teenage pregnancy among the youth is alarming and has become

more or less a fact of life in many nations of the world including Philippines. This

remains both culturally deleterious and personally destructive. Teenage pregnancy has

lots of effects on Educational Development of teenagers who are victims of this

phenomenon. The Philippine government and other religious institutions are studying

every angle to look for ways to reduce untimely pregnancy among teenager. These are

many factors which have been recognized by researchers and authors as being

responsible for teenage pregnancy. It has been noted and well documented that today’s

teenagers face more sexual temptation than previous generations. They seem to be more

aware of sex and susceptible to the dangers of illicit sex. Today’s society is more

bombarded with sexually oriented materials in the environment. The teenagers are more

vulnerable to sexual temptations.

Teenage pregnancy in the Philippines had declined to 47 live births per 1,000

women aged 15-19 based on the 2017 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS)

from 57 in 2013, Popcom National Capital Region director Lydio Español

said.Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines chair Elizabeth Angsioco, however,

clarifies that while the figures have declined, the “actual number” of teenage women

getting pregnant remains high. According to the Fair and Fearless Freeman (2005), there

is a rising trend of pregnant young women in the country and most of them are

unmarried. Young women are more vulnerable to death during pregnancy, hence they are

not prepared physically and mentally in motherhood. This reflects that young women

have in adequate information about pregnancy. Pregnancy served to be their path to

economic independence and adult status. The factors which influenced adolescents to

engage in early pregnancy are unsafe sex, deprivation, substance misuse, school drop

outs, bad school performance in school and low family income (Tsai and Wong, 2003).

It is clear that, due to the changing social and economic situation, most parents

have less time to communicate with their children than before, and that parents cannot

control what their children learn outside the home (Njau, 1986). Adeokum (1990) asserts

that formal education has contributed in forming large groups of adolescents outside the

control of the family. The school provides an environment where boys and girls can meet

without being subjected to any restrictions. Here, they are more likely to establish

relationships which might lead to premarital sex. Health professionals need to devise

comprehensive strategies which will address the issue of teenage pregnancy, in order to

empower young women with adequate knowledge on responsible sex, as well as to build

up their self-esteem.

Teenage mothers have less knowledge about how to care for the baby, than do

older, more mature women. Previous research has indicated that maternal age influences

child development (Belmont, Cohen, & Dryfoos, 1981; Bashman, Cmic, &Ragozin,

1982). Therefore, young mothers need to learn how to care for their babies. Kemp, Sibley
and Pond (1990) found that teenage mothers often think they are ready for parenthood

and yet in reality, they are not prepared for the responsibility of parenthood. It is essential

to keep in mind that teenage mothers are still completing their own development

physically, socially and emotionally. While the young mother wishes to be an excellent

parent, her ability is limited by her own developmental needs.

Many researchers viewed that teenage mother’s future will be depressing and

some challenges will be experienced (Tonelli 2004). After pregnancy teenage mother

lacks qualifications which mean they have low paid and often unsatisfying jobs, but some

young mothers worked out of necessity because they had no choice. A big challenge for a

teenage mother is how to give a bright future for the child. However, as well as the

money, there were additional, wider benefits. Working also gave women a sense of

accomplishment, confidence and some much needed social contact (Wiggins 2005).

Teenage pregnancy became an intricate problem of the different agencies. These agencies

promote programs which is useful in the prevention of teenage pregnancy (Brindis&

Philber,2003). According to Duncan (2007), special programs on family life and

reproductive health reduce the number of teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse.

In Mindanao there are three regions have registered with highest number of teen-

age pregnancies. The three regions were Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) as Top 1,

Caraga (Region 13), No. 2 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

(BARMM), No. 3.

In Region 9 there were five young girls aged 10 to 14 give birth each day and at

least one of them come from highly urbanized metropolis while others comes from
Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay (PopCom Executive

Director Juanito Antonio Perez, 2019).

An academic study conducted by Zamboanga City-based Rosalyn Ehem, a

professor at Western Mindanao State University, said “31.6 percent of teenage women

engaged in pre-marital sex ” most likely in motels or in their boarding houses without

adopting safety measures like using condoms or necessary tablets or medicines.

In locality of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay

This research sought to determine the lived experiences of teenage pregnancy

among Senior High School students enrolled in Internacional Colegio de Tecnologia

from the Calendar year 2018-2020.

Statement of the Problem

The study was to determine the lived experiences of teenage pregnancy among

Senior High School students enrolled in Internacional Colegio de Tecnologia from the

Calendar year 2018-2020.

Specific questions are raised:

1. What are the lived experiences of pregnant teenagers in terms of their struggles in:

1.1 Schooling;

1.2 Family Rejection or Acceptance;

1.3 Birth Preparation?

2. What are the implications of the results of this study?

Scope and Limitation

The study covered 15 Senior High School teenage mothers of Internacional Colegio

de Tecnologia, enrolled in the School year 2018 to 2020. The study mainly focused on the

Senior High School students. These teenage mothers were classified as students of

Internacional Colegio de Tecnologia ages 13-19 years.

Significance of the study

This study is directed towards gaining an understanding of teenage mothers'

perceptions of pregnancy and early parenthood. No research has been conducted to study

this topic in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay. The high rates of pregnancy among young girl’s

results in high rates of dropping out from school, which means that girls are not gaining

the educational background necessary to improve their quality of life and the lives of

their children.

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 lived experiences of the

teenage mothers in Senior High.

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.

Definitions of Terms

In order to have better understanding and interpretation of the study, the following

are defined in accordance to the structure and needs of this study.

Pregnancy. also known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring

develops inside a woman.

Teenager. Is a person who falls within the ages of 13 to 19 years old. The word “teenager” is

another word for an adolescent.

Teenage Mother. a teen girl who gave birth between the age of 15-19

Teenage Pregnancy. also known as adolescent pregnancy, is a pregnancy in female under the

age of 20.
Lived Experience. Refers to a representation of the experiences and choices of a given

person, and the knowledge that they gain from these experiences and choices.

Internacional Colegio de Tecnologia. An institution offerings TechVoc qualifications and

Senior High School Programs wherein the study conducted. Situated at Brgy. Datu Panas,

Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Phenomenological Study. A study that describes the meaning for several individuals of their

lived experience of a concept or a phenomenon.

Summary

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324834063_LIVED_EXPERIENCES_OF_EA

RLY_PREGNANCY_AMONG_TEENAGERS_A_PHENOMENOLOGICAL_STUDY

http://www.crasac.org.uk/uploads/6/1/7/9/617942/a_missing_link-

_an_exploratory_study_of_the_connections_between_non-

consensual_sex_and_teenage_pregnancy11.pdf

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/04/10/1908741/popcom-says-teenage-pregnancy-

philippines-still-alarming

European Scientific Journal January 2014 edition vol.10, No.2 ISSN: 1857 – 7881

(Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431