‘Other Girls’: A Qualitative Exploration of Teenage Mothers’ Views on Teen Pregnancy in Contemporaries

Abstract

Perspectives that consider teenage mothers as a 'social problem' are well described in the literature. However, the attitudes towards teenage mothers held by other teenage mothers are not well understood. Given the growing use of peer support in the reproductive health of teenagers, the attitudes of teenage mothers towards their contemporaries is worthy of exploration. We aimed to examine the discourse around teenage pregnancy in teenage mothers who have recently experienced teenage pregnancy and motherhood for themselves. Fourty mothers aged 16-19, who had recently given birth and used a homebased sexual health service took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their views on pregnancy in other teenagers. The analytical framework of 'othering' and resistance are used to examine their discourse around teenage pregnancy in teenage mothers. Findings indicate that teenage pregnancy and parenting in teenage mother contemporaries is not always viewed positively. Some teenage mothers in this study used strategies to distance themselves from perceived negativity. Two overarching themes emerged from the data: Constructions of moral judgement and Maintenance of positive self-representations. The negative portrayal of teenage pregnancy within wider society impacts the ongoing stigma attached to teenage pregnancy within the teenage population. Approaches such as peer education and peer support used in reproductive health should not be considered neutral, taken for granted processes, but may be complex and more nuanced. Health and social care professionals supporting young parents should be aware of the potential for stigma, discrimination, isolation and exclusion within teenage peer groups. Policy makers need to ensure young mothers have access to a broad range of support opportunities and this should include formal, professional support.

The Presence of Meaning in Parenthood, Perceived Social Support, and Happiness of Mothers Living in Hong Kong: A Comparative Study on Younger and Older Mothers

“…Even though young mothers may make new acquaintances to compensate for the loss of original social contact because of motherhood, researchers have found that young mothers do not necessarily feel supported in the parenthood domain by other mothers. To avoid being judged, young mothers tend to subconsciously employ an “othering” strategy to distinguish themselves from the assumed “bad mothers” [ 57 , 60 , 61 ]. It is possible that younger mothers avoid sharing their most genuine and vulnerable parenting concerns to avoid being judged; when this happens, even though this type of interaction serves a socialization purpose, it does not enhance the effect of meaningfulness on young mothers’ happiness.…”

La maternidad: percepción universitaria sobre sus efectos en el ámbito laboral, académico y social

“…Al parecer, los apoyos de parte de la escuela se hacen visibles en el momento en que los estudiantes lo requieren, sin embargo, se requiere profundizar para conocer si solo se ofrece asesoría con respecto al seguro médico, porque en el momento de la investigación no se tiene ubicado algún programa específicamente desarrollado para apoyar a las mujeres que están embarazadas o que son mamás. De acuerdo con Jones et al (2019) es necesario sensibilizar a los profesionales que están cerca de las madres y padres jóvenes, ellos necesitan ser conscientes de la discriminación, exclusión y aislamiento que sufren los jóvenes, aunado a que los responsables de la elaboración de políticas garanticen que las mujeres recibirán apoyo formal y profesional que les permitan acceder a oportunidades de apoyo.…”

Effect of school category on adjustment of re-admitted teenage mothers in secondary schools

“…When an adolescent becomes pregnant, the psychological adjustment of pregnancy and subsequent parenthood is added to the challenges in the transition of adolescence [15]. [16] adds that teenage pregnancy and parenting in teenage mother contemporaries is not always viewed positively. Different interventions have been implemented by governments to assist the teen mothers to return back to complete their schooling.…”