Getting My Education: Teen Mothers’ Experiences in School before and after Motherhood

Abstract

In this study, I have examined how teenagers who become pregnant experience school and how their beliefs about school are affected by their pregnancy and motherhood. Using a grounded theory approach, the perspectives of 9 young mothers in a teen parents’ program were analyzed to determine how these women reflected on their educational experience both before and after their pregnancy and on how having a child may have affected their self-understanding, particularly in relation to their schooling. The overarching theme that arose from participants’ responses was that having a child substantially influenced their perspectives of both their schooling and their future. Although each stated that her pregnancy initially led her to drop out of school, the participants argued that having a child increased their interest in their education and pushed them to see how education would help them provide a better future for their children, increase their employment opportunities, and help them get off public assistance. In contrast to previous research, which has argued that teen motherhood puts women at a greater risk for school difficulties, this study reveals that motherhood may also be a factor in helping women reevaluate their perspective of school and school's importance for their lives.

Maternal education and children's academic achievement during middle childhood.

“…Again, changes may be most pronounced among young mothers. A recent qualitative study of young mothers participating in an educational program indicated that these mothers’ orientation to schooling changed over time (Zachry, 2005). Whereas before adolescent mothers saw little point in attending school, after having a child and returning to school, they believed education was critical to their future success.…”

Enter Her Novice World: A Narrative Study on The Life of a Teenage Student–Mother

“…To put it another way, her general state is associated with her partner and their relatives that go out of their way just to help. This point can be strengthened by the fact as to how teenage mothers face a lot of challenges once they have entered motherhood while doing their student obligations at the same time (Zachry, 2005;Smith et al, 2012;Haight et al, 2009). The amount of support given to the mother will contribute to her overall convenience, the bigger the support, the greater the help.…”

Teen Mom Student of the Month: Ethics of Care, School Structure, and Reconfiguring What It Means to be a Good Student

“…Like their peers, Latina teen mothers also disengage from school before the onset of motherhood as a result of feeling like they don’t belong in school (Zachry, 2005). However, when teachers express aesthetic care toward Latinas, there are specific gendered, classed, and racial dimensions that are ignored and contribute toward Latinas feeling even more disconnected from the education system.…”