I.

Introduction

Background of the Study

In our time, many young mothers might be noted in our society because of their growing

population carrying their infant that needs extreme care from a mother. But how could the infant

have that kind of care if the one who gave birth to them also needs help from the people around

them to pursue their living here on earth.

Pregnancy is a very delicate phase of a womans life. At this point, the mother will take

full responsibility for the betterment of the future of her child in the right time. In this stage,

pregnancy brings different kinds of emotions. But despite all of these emotional aspects of life,

the mother should also her life in the society. In the case of a teenage mom, can she surpass all

these challenges while living in the world of chaos and poverty?

According to research, most of the young Filipino nowadays have their own child in an

early age. According to census 2007, there are approximately 88,600 young Filipinos that got

pregnant in such a young age. Based from NSO, Manila City has the most cases of teenage

pregnancy and on August 1, 2007 there are approximately 88,570 records.

(NSO,POPCEN 2007).

Teenage pregnancy brings many different effects to young people, and one of it is the

discrimination. And most of all it brings bad effects to the health and minds of the person behind

this situation.

_____________________________________________________________________________

1
NSO, POPCEN 2007
1
Specific Objectives

This study aims to know the effects of teenage pregnancy and if it is has a good

contribution or bad contribution to their lives. This study uses survey questionnaire as a

instrument for gathering reliable information about the teenage moms in Sanlagan Okiot, Bais

City ranging from ages 16-19 years old.

Significance of the Study

This study is very important to the society, especially to the readers so that they can see

the true meaning of teenage pregnancy in ones life. For the researchers who would like to

investigate this study further, I can assure them that they can get enough information about

teenage pregnancy in this study. And by this, they can help their fellow men and the society to

lessen the growing population of teenage pregnancy.

Not only for the researchers, but also this study is important to the teenagers in our

society. This study will give them lessons on what is right or wrong for their own good. And this

study also helps the parents on disciplining their children.

D. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses only on what are the effects of teenage pregnancy to young girls in

Sanlagan Okiot, Bais City. This study only refers to what will be the effect of pregnancy in an

early age and if this is because of peer pressure and family problems that urge them to do such

things. And this study will be conducted at Sanlagan Okiot, Bais City with survey questionnaire

as the instrument to used for gathering data and conclusions.

2
Definition of Terms

Sex education- is instruction on issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual

anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual activity, reproductive health, emotional

relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, and birth control.

Internet- is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet

protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve several billion users worldwide. It is a network of networks that

consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to

global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking

technologies.

Contraception- are methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.

Related Literature and Studies

According to Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia, teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in human

females under the age of 20 at the time that the pregnancy ends. A pregnancy can take place in a

pubertal female before menarche (the first menstrual period), which signals the possibility

of fertility, but usually occurs after menarche.1

So we can call it teenage pregnancy when a girl gets pregnant within the age of 20 below

during puberty and teenage pregnancy usually occurs after menarche.

______________________________________________________________________________
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancy
3
 Based on the panel discussion, it was articulated that as much as it is a health issue,

adolescent pregnancy is a development issue. Its root causes are poverty, gender inequality, and

violence, power imbalances between adolescent girls and their male partners, lack of education

and the failure of systems and institutions to protect their rights.1

There are many causes of teenage pregnancy and any one of it can trigger the teenagers to

do such sexual intercourse which is not in the right time to do so.

According to WikiFilipino, particularly in the Philippines, having sex education in

schools is still an issue to be debated on. And even though the different sectors of the

government have strong demands of having it, the Catholic Church and other conservative

groups opposed it tightly.2

Because of being that conservative of the Filipinos, the topic sex is not been tackled by

the parents to their children. And because of this, the parents cannot guide their children

especially during puberty when young people are curious about that kind of thing. And curiosity

can lead to something.

______________________________________________________________________________
1
http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2013/09/26/1238116/root-causes-adolescent-
pregnancy
2
http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title+Teenage_pregnancy
4
 A recent study by Robertson et al, usually in rich countries, teenage pregnancy is brings

"social stigma" or embarrassment in society in most communities and cultures.1

And because of this reason, being pregnant in an early age can affect the teenagers

socialization with others. And this teenager will have a fear of going out from their house and be

shameful of what happened.

According to Academy of Family Physicians and Obstetricians, the maternal and

parental health is ought to be focused especially to teenagers that are pregnant.2

Having a healthy lifestyle is very important especially to the pregnant ones because the

fetus or the baby also eats what theyre eating. Meaning, if the mother eats nutritious foods then

the baby will be healthy but if not, then the baby will possibly experience complications or

diseases that may cause sudden death.

According to World Health Organization, maternal health is the health of a woman who

undergoes pregnancy. 3

While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience, for too many women it is

associated with suffering, ill-health and even death. The major direct causes of maternal

morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion,

and obstructed labour. We can see it here that pregnancy can greatly affect a womans health.

______________________________________________________________________________

1
D. Robertson, R. Andrews, A. Buttner, G. Byrnes and R Spearel 2001 Teenage Pregnancy as a
Social Stigma in Delhi, India, Journal of Maternal and Child Care, pg. 33
2
www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m3225/6_67/article.jhtml
3
www.who.int/topics/maternal_health/en

5
II. Methodology

Strategy Used and Data Sources

The instrument used for this study is a survey questionnaire that only adolescent mothers

that ranging ages 16-19 can answer. And these answers will serve as guide for the new discovery.

The given questions are not intended to offend feelings but aims to know what are the

experiences of a teenage mom.

Respondents, I get four (4) respondents serves as the whole body of the teenage moms in

Sanlagan Okiot, Bais City. These four (4) respondents are chosen because they are capable in

answering the survey questionnaire.

Questionnaire, I chose to have this kind of instrument because its easy to use, not too

costly and its not time consuming.

6
Results

The respondents of this study are the teenage mothers who got pregnant at the age

ranging from 16-19 years old only.

Age Highest level of

education attained
16 Secondary/High school

17 Primary/Elementary

18 Secondary/High school

19 Secondary/High school

Effects of Early Pregnancy in ones Education

Education is the key to success. This is the only treasure that our parents could give..

Because of this, our lives will develop by our profession. But how could we achieve such success

if there is a hindrance on our way to the top just like teenage pregnancy?

According to Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia, being a young mother in an industrialized

country can affect one's education. Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school. 1

It really proves that it is impossible to continue studying while you are pregnant and most

of these teenagers are more likely to drop out from school.

______________________________________________________________________________

1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancy

7
 And according to studies in 2001, 10-12% of women who gave birth in such a young age

finished their secondary level and 14-29% continued their studies. 1

As we have observed, because of teenage pregnancy most of the students did not finish

their study. And there is a very low percentage of young women that finished their high school.

that is why they lack knowledge.

Questions
Yes No Reason
Yes No
1. During the time of your 3 1 Financial Problem My baby served as
pregnancy, did you stop your my inspiration.
Motherly duties
studies?
Finished High
School
Finished her
elementary
education.
2. During the time of your early 2 2 Afraid of the Planned pregnancy
consequences
stage pregnancy, did you have
It can affect my
plans of abortion?
studies

______________________________________________________________________________
1
Hofferth, S. L.; Reid, L.; Mott, F. L. (2001). "The effects of early childbearing on schooling

over time". Family planning perspectives 33 (6): 259267

Enclosed in the table are diverse opinions of the respondents. In the first question, the

most domineering answer was yes. In the second question, the answers were all equal.

Effects of Early Pregnancy in the Social Environment

8
 Why is it important to socialize to the public? What benefits do we get from society? In

our times especially in the Philippines, most of the people are judgmental if we fail to do what is

right. Because of this, we cannot prevent ourselves from judging. There are even times that your

family themselves are the ones to abandon you because they dont want your situation to be the

same with your siblings.

According to Wikipedia, teen pregnancy and motherhood can influence younger

siblings 1

That is the reason why parents are afraid that the same situation may also happen to their

other daughter/s.

__________________________________________________________________
1
East, P. L. (1996). "Do adolescent pregnancy and childbearing affect younger siblings?". Family

planning perspectives 28 (4): 148153

Questions
Yes No Reason
Yes No

9
1. What came to your mind the time
when you know you are pregnant?

Happy -2
Afraid -1 __ __ __ __
Worried -0
Bothered -1
2. Was your familys perception 2 2 regretted They like to have a
son.
to you changed? Lack of trust That is life, we
cannot change what
already has
happened.

3. Have you encountered 1 3 __ __

discrimination?

The table above tells us how their lives were changed because of early pregnancy. In the

first question happiness was the feeling after they know they are pregnant and one of them

experienced fear. In the second question, the answers were all equal. The last question on the

other hand, most of all experienced discrimination in the society.

Effects of Early Pregnancy in ones Future

We are the ones who are responsible in making our future better. Nobody can help us

except our own selves. Thats why our parents really do their best in giving advices in every

actions we take because it will leave a mark in our future whether it will be good or bad.
10
 Questions
Yes No Why
Yes No
1. Do you have plans that have 4 0 to finish my studies
been ended by teenage pregnancy? to help my parents
What are those? in their daily needs
to take up 0
Criminology

2. Do you still have the will to pursue those

3 1
plans? __ __

3. Which is much easier, your life

before the pregnancy or after the Before After
pregnancy? And why?
being a mother is not
Before - 0 easy
__ __ teenage pregnancy
After 3 0 really changes my
life
*theres someone that the products
didnt give any nowadays are very
comment/answer expensive

4. What are your plans for the future

of your children? __ __ __ __
to finish their studies, they
will not follow my wrong
doings and to have a
productive life for their
own future.
3 1 Yes No

11
5. Is it better to live with the father because life would because that person
of your child? easier to live with is irresponsible
someone wholl
take full
responsibility
so that my child
would have a father
to be with
so that my family
would be complete

In the table above, it shows how teenage pregnancy changed the life of a teenager. And

what happened to them became their lesson for them to be guided towards a better future. And it

is proven in the fourth question that all these young mothers ever wanted is to continue their

education and finish it and they also wish to guide their children to the better road so that they

will not follow in their footsteps of being a mother at such a young age.

Effects of Early Pregnancy on ones Health

As a pregnant woman, eating nutritious food is a must especially for the babys health.

12
 Questions
Yes No Why
Yes No
1. Are you having any difficulties 1 3
during your pregnancy? __ __

2. While you are pregnant what kind

of foods are you eating? __ __

fruits and vegetables __ __

3. After giving birth is the baby 4 0 __ __

healthy? How many kilos does your
baby weight?
2.7

2.8

2.9
4.8
0
4. After giving birth did you 1 3 *no response
experience any health recieved
complications? What are those?

5. Can you give the basic needs of 2 2 __ __

your child?
According to one blog site, we have the so-called parental care. Its goal is to assure the

pregnancy of a woman be right and will born a healthy baby without any causing harm or any

health complications to the mother. 1

______________________________________________________________________________
1
http://pagbuntis.blogspot.com/

The table above shows the different experiences of a woman during pregnancy. The early

pregnancy of a woman cannot only affect her education but can also affect the health of both the

adolescent mother and her child. There are some cases in which there is a possibility that the

newborn baby will be having complications because of lack of nutrition that can lead to sudden

13
death. And we can observe from the table above that Sanlagan Okiot, Bais City has a low chance

of having malnutrition.

III. Conclusions

This study aims to know the effects of having early pregnancy among women with ages

ranging from 16-19 at Sanlagan Okiot, Bais City.

This is a descriptive research that uses survey questionnaire as instrument for getting

reliable informations and 4 woman respondents And the information gathered has been put into

different kinds of tables.

Based on the information gathered, majority of cases of teenage pregnancy are girls with

ages 19 years old and most of them didnt continue their secondary education. And the following

are the results:

First, about the effect of early pregnancy on ones education, most of them havent

finished their studies. Some of them wanted to continue but they dont have enough money and

because their child needs more attention and care. And some of them experienced the

discrimination in school. And because of this, they might be angry and can cause trouble in their

lives.

Second is about the effects of early pregnancy in the social environment of the teenage

mom. Most of the teenage moms are happy of the results yet the feeling of the people around her

is not good anymore. Many of them are disappointed especially the parents. And because of this,

the teenage moms felt the same way to their selves.

Third is about the effects of early pregnancy on the future of the teenager. Because they

got pregnant in an early age, there are some plans of them that didnt come true because of the

14
hindrances. After they got pregnant, their life changed a lot and becomes more harder than they

thought because of the increasing demand of supplies. And because of this situation, they

become more mature and have no time for their selves.

And lastly, is about the effects of early pregnancy on ones health. Not all pregnant

mothers deliver their baby in a normal way, some of them suffer from different kind of method

that makes their delivery more harder and painful. Especially to teenage moms, we all know that

some of their body parts are not yet fully grown so it has been expected that they will experience

great pain during their delivery and it may lead to sudden death either to the mother or to the

baby.

Based on the results given, teenage pregnancy is one the hardest challenges of a girls

life.

IV. Recommendation

To all teenage girls, always listen to the advices from your parents and please do enjoy

your life being a teenager because time will come that you will be a mature one. And try to heed

your parents advices because all of it is for your own good. Think about your decisions wisely

because you cant turn back time. Focus first to your studies and my dear young ones, love can

wait.

15
 To the parents, guide your children in every step of the way. Dont let them feel

abandoned. Let them know that you are there; let them experience the unconditional love that

they may feel contented of what they have. Open their minds in every aspects of life. And teach

them how to be responsible in every decision they make.

V. Apendiks
Survey Questionnaire
Name:____________________________________________
Age:_____________ If yes, why?

This questionnaire has 5 parts. Plaease write your anwers ____________________________________________________

at the given blank ang darken the circle of your answer. ____________________________________________________
2. During the time of your early
And if not, whos your inspiration?
stage pregnancy, did you have
___________________________________________________
I. Who am I?
plans of abortion?
1. Age when you got pregnant
16
___________________________________________________
17
18 ____________________________________________________
19

2. Highest level of education attained

Primary/Elementary
Secondary/High school
III. How is my Social Environment?
College
1. What came to your mind the time when you know
II. My Studies
you are pregnant?
1 During the time of your pregnancy, did you stop your Happy Bothered
studies? Afraid Worried
Yes No
Others: _____________________________________________
16
 2. Was your familys perception to you changed?
Yes No

Why do you think so?

___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

3. Have you encountered discrimination?

Yes No

IV. My Future

1. Do you have plans that have been ended by teenage

pregnancy? What are those?

__________________________________________________

2. Do you still have the will to pursue those plans?

Yes No

3. Which is much easier, your life before the pregnancy or

after the pregnancy? And why?

__________________________________________________

4. What are your plans for the future of your children?

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

5. Is it better to live with the father of your child?

Yes No

Why: ___________________________________________

17
V. Our Health

1. Are you having any difficulties during your pregnancy?

Yes No
2. While you are pregnant what kind of foods are you eating?

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

3. After giving birth is the baby healthy? How many kilos

does your baby weight?
Yes No

How many kilo: _____________

4. After giving birth did you experience any health complications?

What are those?
Yes No

What are those?

__________________________________________________

5. Can you give the basic needs of your child?

Yes No

Thank you very much!!!

VI. Bibliography
Books
Robertson D., Andrews R., Buttner P., . Byrnes G. and Spearel, R,., et al. Teenage Pregnancy as

a Social Stigma in Delhi, India: Journal of Maternal and Child Care, pg. 33, 2001
East, P. L. Do adolescent pregnancy and childbearing affect younger siblings?: Family planning

perspectives 28 (4): 148153, 1996.

Hofferth, S. L.; Reid, L.; Mott, F. L., et al. The effects of early childbearing on schooling
over time: Family planning perspectives 33 (6): 259267, 2001.

Websites
http://pagbuntis.blogspot.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancy
www.who.int/topics/maternal_health/en
www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m3225/6_67/article.jhtml
www.who.int/topics/maternal_health/en
http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Teenage_pregnancy
www.nso.gov.ph