Social policy with tunnel vision: problems of state efforts to curb adolescent pregnancy in post 1988 Brazil

Abstract

Social Policy Working Paper 03-19 LSE Department of Social PolicyThe Department of Social Policy is an internationally recognised centre of research and teaching in social and public policy. From its foundation in 1912 it has carried out cutting edge research on core social problems, and helped to develop policy solutions.The Department today is distinguished by its multidisciplinarity, its international and comparative approach, and its particular strengths in behavioural public policy, criminology, development, economic and social inequality, education, migration, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and population change and the lifecourse.The Department of Social Policy multidisciplinary working paper series publishes high quality research papers across the broad field of social policy.

Young people's schooling trajectories and transitions to social adulthood in the context of Brazil's Bolsa Família

“…At the same time, policy and data collection have reinforced gendered norms that have sanctioned adolescent pregnancy and responsibilised young women for pregnancy and parenthood by failing to acknowledge the role of (young) men (Burratini, 2021). Despite the existence of national policies on adolescent pregnancy dating back to at least the late 1980s, these have oscillated between more risk and abstinence-based approaches and more progressive and empowerment-focused approaches (Burratini, 2021). It remains unclear, however, the extent to which such national level policies have been reflected in micro-level experiences of young people, particularly highly marginalised groups.…”

“…With early pregnancy seen as a key mechanism for the intergenerational transmission of poverty, public policy has historically been informed by a risk-based understanding of early pregnancy. National policies have tended to ignore the more complex setting in which adolescent pregnancy occurs, involving considerations of social status, class, gender, socioeconomic situations, instead understanding adolescent pregnancy as the key problem rather than a symptom of broader structural inequalities (Burratini, 2021). Though not a new phenomenon, as social expectations for young people have shifted particularly around educational attainment (Heilborn et al, 2007), public policy has juxtaposed adolescent pregnancy with the completion of education, reinforcing the choice and incompatibility between the 'desirable' trajectory of schooling and the 'undesirable' trajectory of early pregnancy.…”

“…Though not a new phenomenon, as social expectations for young people have shifted particularly around educational attainment (Heilborn et al, 2007), public policy has juxtaposed adolescent pregnancy with the completion of education, reinforcing the choice and incompatibility between the 'desirable' trajectory of schooling and the 'undesirable' trajectory of early pregnancy. At the same time, policy and data collection have reinforced gendered norms that have sanctioned adolescent pregnancy and responsibilised young women for pregnancy and parenthood by failing to acknowledge the role of (young) men (Burratini, 2021). Despite the existence of national policies on adolescent pregnancy dating back to at least the late 1980s, these have oscillated between more risk and abstinence-based approaches and more progressive and empowerment-focused approaches (Burratini, 2021).…”