DETERMINING THE FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG

STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 1

Determining the Factors and Consequences of Early Pregnancy Among Students of Rosauro R. Tangson

Sr. National High School

Context and Rationale

Teenage Pregnancy tackles about the increasing numbers of teens who suffers early pregnancy. It is

defined as teenage or underage girl, usually within the ages 12 to 19 becoming pregnant. Pregnancy has very

important consequences for teen girls, teen boys, and their children. Teenage Pregnancy isa serious issue that

seriously affect the future of a young woman. It is the most common problem that teenagers are facing. And

some of the reasons why teenage pregnancy happens are: lack of parental guidance, lack of parental, lack of

money, lack of knowledge about this issue, influence of friends, partner, and frustrations. This can be attributed

to ignorance about the possible outcomes of such pregnancies, low education, situations triggered by poverty,

etc. Firstly, most teenage pregnancies, but some groups, such as teens are at higher risk. A lot of teenagers who

became pregnant sometimes wish they weren’t. This happen because they either don’t want to be parents or they

know it’s not the right time. By the time they find out that they are pregnant they start stressing out because they

don’t want their parents to know or find out. Having a baby as a teen makes it much harder for a boy or girl to

reach their dreams, such as finishing high school, going to college or getting married when they grow up, and

poses additional challenges to the child as well. We chose this topic to have a knowledge about what we should

do to avoid this issue. And to give my fellow SHS students warning about this issue to know their limitations.

On the factors and consequences of early pregnancy among students has been conducted through a

systematic review that integrates controlled trials and qualitative studies. The review examined both quantitative

and qualitative evidence to understand the link between social disadvantage and teenage pregnancy. The

findings suggest that early childhood interventions and youth development programs can significantly lower

teenage pregnancy rates. Early childhood interventions, such as preschool education and support, have a long-

term positive influence on the risk of teenage pregnancy, as well as other outcomes associated with social and

economic disadvantage. Youth development programs, which provide enhanced educational and social support,

have a more immediate impact on reducing teenage pregnancy rates. Qualitative studies have identified several
DETERMINING THE FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG
STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 2

factors associated with early pregnancy among students. These include dislike of school, poor material

circumstances, and unhappy childhood experiences. Low expectations and aspirations for the future also

contribute to the risk of early pregnancy. The review highlights the importance of investing in early care and

support to reduce the socioeconomic disadvantage associated with teenage pregnancy. It suggests that

interventions should focus on improving enjoyment of school, raising expectations and ambitions for the future,

and providing relevant social support and skills to young people. It is important to note that the review primarily

focused on studies conducted in the United Kingdom. However, the findings can provide insights and

implications for addressing early pregnancy among students in other contexts as well. Source: [Teenage

pregnancy and social disadvantage: systematic review integrating controlled trials and qualitative studies]

[1.] Public health impact: Early pregnancy among students can have significant public health implications.

Understanding the factors that contribute to early pregnancy can help identify high-risk populations and develop

targeted interventions to prevent unintended pregnancies. By addressing this issue, public health efforts can

focus on promoting reproductive health and reducing adverse outcomes associated with early pregnancy.

[2.] Educational outcomes: Early pregnancy can have a detrimental impact on students' educational attainment.

It often leads to school dropout or interrupted education, which can limit future opportunities and perpetuate

cycles of poverty. By understanding the factors that contribute to early pregnancy, educational institutions can

implement comprehensive sex education programs and support services to help students make informed choices

and stay engaged in their education.

[3.] Socio-economic consequences: Early pregnancy can have long-lasting socio-economic consequences for

both the individual and society can limit career prospects, increase reliance on social welfare systems, and

perpetuate cycles of poverty. By studying the factors and consequences of early pregnancy, policymakers and

stakeholders can develop strategies to address the socio-economic impact and promote economic empowerment

among young individuals.

[4.] Health outcomes: Early pregnancy poses significant health risks for both the mother and the child. Teenage

mothers are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and their children may
DETERMINING THE FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG
STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 3

face increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental challenges. Understanding the

consequences of early pregnancy can inform the development of healthcare interventions and support systems to

ensure the well-being of young mothers and their children.

[5.] Social and cultural implications: Early pregnancy can carry social stigma and cultural implications that

affect the well-being and social integration of young individuals. By exploring the factors and consequences of

early pregnancy, researchers can shed light on the social and cultural dynamics surrounding this issue and work

towards reducing stigma and promoting supportive environments for young parents.

Overall, studying the factors and consequences of early pregnancy among students is essential for

informing evidence-based interventions, promoting public health, improving educational outcomes, addressing

socio-economic disparities, and ensuring the well-being of young individuals and their communities .
DETERMINING THE FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG
STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 4

Review to Related Literature

Teenage pregnancy is not like any other issue there in the whole world although it seems to be a common

concern, it does not seem to bother people that much. Not until they are personally affected by the issue or until

they finally realized that it had been increasing in number of affected people that it slowly reached an abnormal

stage or the point that it affected too many lives already and too many aspects of living. Teenage pregnancy is

mostly unplanned, and as a result, people react to the experience differently. The teenager has to come to terms

with the unexpected demands of being an adult, and in some cases, she may also have to deal with disapproval

and dissatisfaction shown by significant others like parents and relatives (Clemens, 2002).According to Macleod

and Durrheim (2003), teenage pregnancy as a social problem that leads to the disruption of schooling; poor

obstetric outcomes, inadequate mothering; poor child outcomes; relationship difficulties with relatives, partners

and peers; and demographic concerns about increasing population numbers. In major cases, teenage mothers are

not able to go back to school after delivery as they are forced to look after their children. In some cases, these

young mothers’ physical health conditions do not make it conducive for them to go back to school. While some

young women may be prevented from going back to school as a result of these factors, De Jang (2001) found

that there are some cases of teenagers who may use their pregnant status to deliberately escape the demands of

high school education. Depression is one of the problems that results to teenage pregnancy of the women.

According to the psychodynamic theory, depression is presented as a disorder that can be linked to real or

imagined object loss (Gee and Rhodes 2003). According to Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines

GIDDENS (2001:23), cultural factors refer to culture as the way of life of the members of a society, or of groups

within a society. It includes how people dress, their marriage customs and family life, their patterns of work,

religious ceremonies, and leisure pursuits. Socialization is also a factor. He defines socialization as the process

by which humans learn the culture of their society and become adult members of that society in which they live.

Socialization teaches humans to live in society and what is regarded as appropriate behavior in different

situations (Giddens 2001:26). Cultural norms and values could be the detriment of teenage mother’s

empowerment and could contribute to greater confusion in teenager’s minds (Dlamini 2002: 45). A study of

Ehlers (2003) found that the female adolescents who were poor students with low educational aspirations were
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STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 6

more likely to become teenage mothers than were their high-achieving peers. On the other hand, he also stated

some of the causes of teenage pregnancy such as lack of parental guidance, adolescent sexual behavior,

inadequate knowledge about safe sex, exploitation by older men and socio-economic factors. Lack of parental

guidance: Most people evade their children from talking about sex. In some cases, they provide false

information regarding sex and discourage their children to participate in any informative discussion about sex.

Adolescent sexual behavior: Among the adolescents, peer pressure is a major factor that encourages the teenage

boys and girls to indulge in sexual activities. Early dating, as early as 12 years of age, is another factor that

contributes to teen pregnancy. Inadequate knowledge about safe sex: Most adolescents are unaware of safe sex.

They probably have no access to the traditional methods of preventing pregnancy. And the main reason behind

is that they are either too embarrassed or fear to seek information about it. Exploitation by older men: This is

another major factor that contributes to pregnancy among the teenagers. Those girls who date older men are

more likely to become pregnant before they attain womanhood. Rape, sexual exploitation also takes place that

leads to unwanted pregnancy among teenage girls. Socio-economic factors: Teenage girls who belong to the

poor families are more likely to become pregnant. According to Quinlivan et al., (2003: 203), lack of

educational achievement is a risk factor not only because of limited career and educational opportunities but

also because of its correlation with a lack of motivation and ambition young people uncertain of a purpose in

life or a career objective identify parenting as a future role (Quinlivan 2004: 202). According to Williams

(2005:75) adolescents generally encounter more problems during pregnancy and childbirth than older women.

The long- term effects of pregnancies are far reaching and teenage mothers face difficulties such as dropping out

of school. The problems encountered may be physical, psychological, social, academic, and emotional. Dlamini

(2002:178) stated in his study the problems that might affect the pregnant adolescents’ psychologically,

emotionally, and the social relations with the people around them, including the support from individuals. And

also, there are some challenges that they encountered such as: the father of the child was not willing to support

or even denied for being a father and non-acceptance of pregnancy by the adolescents’ parents. Adolescent

pregnancy and childbirth impose difficult long-term outcomes and have adverse effects not only on the young
DETERMINING THE FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG
STUDENTS OF ROSAURO R. TANGSON SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 7

mother, but also on her child (Hao & Cherlin, 2004; Meade &Ickovics, 2005). A study of Darisi (2007) stated

that a negative perspective on teen pregnancy leads to a negative view of pregnant teens. The young woman

who becomes pregnant sets in motion a series of events that ultimately leads to the disaster of a teen birth. The

pregnant teen becomes a statistic, and assumptions are made about her character, intelligence, and maturity.

Young mothers are often well-aware of these assumptions. According to Ioannidi - Kapolou (2004) lack of

accurate information on sex education is one of the reasons for the increasing number of unwanted pregnancies

among teenagers. However, Watson (2003) stated that a strategy can be successful only when a multi-agency

tasked group is formed with representatives that provide services and work closely with children and young

people.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

Scope:

[1.] Factors of Early Pregnancy: The scope can include various factors that contribute to early pregnancy among

students, such as lack of comprehensive sex education, peer pressure, low socioeconomic status, family

dynamics, cultural beliefs, access to contraception, and personal choices.

[2.] Consequences of Early Pregnancy: The scope can encompass the physical, emotional, social, and

educational consequences of early pregnancy. This may include health risks for both the mother and the child,

disrupted education, limited career opportunities, financial challenges, social stigma, and psychological impact.

Limitations:

[1.] Generalizability: The factors and consequences of early pregnancy can vary across different regions,

cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of

generalizing findings from one context to another.

[2.] Sample Size and Representativeness: Studies on early pregnancy among students may have limitations in

terms of sample size and representativeness. Small sample sizes or non-representative samples can limit the

generalizability of the findings.

[3.] Self-reporting Bias: Research on early pregnancy often relies on self-reporting by students, which can

introduce biases and inaccuracies. Some students may be reluctant to disclose their pregnancy status due to

social stigma or fear of consequences.

[4.] Ethical Considerations: Conducting research on early pregnancy among students requires ethical

considerations, such as ensuring informed consent, protecting privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing harm

to participants.

[5.] Long-term Effects: Some consequences of early pregnancy may only become apparent in the long term.

Longitudinal studies tracking the outcomes of young mothers and their children are limited in number and may

face challenges in maintaining participant engagement over time.

It is important to conduct further research and consider specific contexts to fully understand the factors and

consequences of early pregnancy among students.