What Do Adolescents Think About Teen Parenting?

Abstract

Unexpected increases in the teen birth rates have stimulated a renewed focus on the prevention of teen pregnancy. Although many adults believe there are certain costs associated with teen parenting, the attitudes of teens toward the parenting experience are not known. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine teens' thoughts on how their lives would change if they experienced a teen birth in the areas of relationships, vocation, and life impacts. The Thoughts on Teen Parenting Survey (TTPS), designed to measure demographic variables and perspectives on the costs and rewards of teen parenting, was administered to 695 high school students. The survey yielded a composite score, subscale scores, and aggregate data measuring teen thoughts on the consequences of the teen parenting experience. Findings may be used to identify teens at risk for pregnancy, develop interventions, and evaluate prevention strategies based on the insights of teens.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Stigma: Results From Young Women in Ghana

“…Stigma was described as precluding young women’s use of contraceptive methods and services. Several other studies have reported similar themes specific to stigma associated with adolescent pregnancy in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in the United States (Atuyambe et al, 2005; Hall, Manu, et al, 2015; Herrman & Waterhouse, 2011; Kelly, 1996; Levandowski et al, 2012; Wiemann et al, 2005). …”

“…In sexual and reproductive health (SRH), the social, cultural, and religious norms that frame adolescent sexual behavior and its consequences (i.e., pregnancy, early childbearing, abortion, sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) as immoral and problematic may contribute to stigma (Atuyambe, Mirembe, Johansson, Kirumira, & Faxelid, 2005; Fenton, 2010; Fourcroy, 2006; Hall, Kusunoki, et al, 2015; Hall, Manu, et al, 2015; Herrman & Waterhouse, 2011; Kelly, 1996; Kimmel & Garnets, 2003; Levandowski et al, 2012; Luker, 1996; Schalet, 2004; Wiemann, Rickert, Berenson, & Volk, 2005). In turn, SRH stigma may pose barriers to and ultimately prevent the use of family planning, subsequently leading to high rates of unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and maternal mortality among young women in Africa and elsewhere (Hall, Manu, et al, 2015; Hindin, Christiansen, & Ferguson, 2013; Singh, Sedgh, & Hussain, 2010; United Nations Population Fund, 2007; World Health Organization, 2004).…”

Adolescent girls who experience abuse or neglect are at an increased risk of teen pregnancy

“…As noted in a focus group study of adolescents, young women often become pregnant to ‘have something to love’ 3. An important new realm of research focuses on teens’ attitudes toward the parenting experience and researchers correlated positive attitudes toward a teen birth with an increased risk for subsequent births 4 5. Young women suffering from sexual abuse and neglect, with lives full of stress and anguish, may see the birth of a child as a way to repair complex circumstances, exert power and change in their lives, and create a better future for themselves and their children 6.…”

Using Film Clips to Teach Teen Pregnancy Prevention:The Gloucester 18at a Teen Summit

“…One such realm is to determine teens' perceptions of the costs and rewards of early parenting and to base interventions on views of how their lives would change if they had babies as teens (Herrman & Nandakumar, 2012;Herrman & Waterhouse, 2011). Several studies and interventions use this premise, but few are designed for use with a large group in a single session or for this specific setting.…”

“…The scale yields a cumulative score, subscale scores, and demographic data. (Herrman & Nandakumar, 2012;Herrman & Waterhouse, 2011). Research should also formally evaluate teen and group leader satisfaction with the strategy and methods of implementation.…”