1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This study consists of Background of the Study,

Statement of the Problem, Hypothesis, Scope and Limitation,

Significance of the Study and the Definition of Terms.

Background of the Study

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 to 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 teenage 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 relative

 2

(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 in a position 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.

In this study, the researcher aims to classify the

things where the teenage mothers are having the most

difficulties. The purpose of the researcher why they

conduct this study is to let other teenagers be informed of

what may be happened.

Statement of the Problem

This study will be conducted to acknowledge the

difficulties of being a teenage mother, in order to make

this study successful, the researcher will undergo a survey

to the selective teenage mother.

Particularly this study aims to answer the following:

 3

1. What is the socio – demographic profile of the

respondents?

2. How will teenage pregnancy affect their way of

thinking about life in terms of physical, emotional,

financial, and spiritual.

3. How hard it is to perform the role of being a mother

at the very young age?

4. How they handle their time as a mother and as a

teenager at the same time?

Scope and Limitation

This study focused on the difficulties of being a

teenager. The subjects were focused on the teenager in

different Barangay’s of Pontevedra, Capiz ages 13 – 19

years old who have been pregnant by the given age bracket.

This study discuss the changes of the teenager’s way of

thinking & on how hard for a teenage mother to perform the

duties & responsibilities of being a mother.

Significance of the Study

 4

The study is important in such way that it could be

the threshold in understanding the issue of teenage

pregnancy. Specially, it could benefit the:

1. Teenage Mothers – This study will benefit them because

it will help them understand the cause and effect of

early pregnancy.

2. Students – This study will also benefit them because

it will give them information about the cause and

possible effects of early pregnancy to their studies

once they got pregnant.

3. Parents – This study will also benefit them to enable

them to realize their great role in educating their

children, protecting and diverting them from indulging

early sex especially without marriage.

4. Future Researchers – This study will also benefit them

because it will help them to get information to their

future study.

Theoretical Framework

Behavioral Theories: the history of psychology is the

history of a field struggling to define itself as a

 5

separate and unique scientific discipline. (Hockenbury, 3)

While the roots of psychology date back to the

philosophers of Ancient Greece, it wasn’t until 1879, when

German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt created the first

laboratory completely devoted to the study of psychology.

(Kleinman, 7)

The history (of the study of behavior) is built upon

the theories and discoveries of successive generations,

with many of the older theories remaining relevant to

contemporary psychologists. The behaviorists felt that it

was impossible to study mental processes objectively, but

found it relatively easy to observe and measure behavior.

(Collin, 10) Editor’s note - behaviorism, cognitivism, and

psychoanalytic theory are considered ‘grand theories of

psychology.’ This means they are comprehensive theories

which have traditionally inspired and directed

psychologists’ thinking. Psychology's grand theories also

refer to 'psychology schools' and 'psychology therapies’

and behavioral theories are also referred to as ‘psychology

theories.

Traditional pregnancy prevention strategies employed

with adults and older teens do not recognize significant

developmental differences between early adolescents and

 6

other age groups. Methods that compliment, reflect, and are

consistent with developmental needs of the young teen

provide cogent approaches to teen pregnancy prevention.

Particular emphasis should be placed on interpersonal

relationships and their importance in the young woman's

life, especially the relationship between the young teen

and her parents. Developing and improving all relationships

instrumental in positively affecting teen decision-making

represent potent approaches to pregnancy prevention. The

axioms of Piaget, Erikson, and Mercer are examined in

regard to cognitive, social, emotional, and psychosexual

development in the 12-14 year old. Young teens' responses

to sex education as well as their use of contraception are

reviewed in relation to developmental theory.

Pregnancy prevention programs among adolescents should

be tailored to specific developmental ages and stages.

Traditional strategies employed with adults and older teens

fail to recognize the specific developmental needs of early

adolescents (ages 12-14 years). This article outlines the

theoretical work of Piaget, Mercer, and Erikson with regard

to cognitive, social, emotional, and psychosexual

development in early adolescence. Acceptance and

achievement of body image and determination and

 7

internalization of sexual identity and role are critical

tasks for this age group. Development of a personal value

system promotes acquisition of a framework for making

sexual decisions. Also important are interpersonal

relationships, especially the relationship between the

young teen and her parents. Professionals in many settings

can act as parent surrogates, establishing relationships

with adolescents at risk of pregnancy. Such professionals

should be aware of the factors that place adolescents at

risk for pregnancy: recent significant loss or change, a

sexually active peer group, previous pregnancy, sexual

abuse, conflict in the home, teenage pregnancy in the

parental generation, and substance abuse.(

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3534458)
 8

Research Paradigm

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Socio – demographic Gathered Information The difficulties of

profile through Questionnaire being a teenage
and it will Analyze mother will be
 Age and Interpret determine
 Educational
Attainment
 Civil status

How hard to be a
teenage mother in
terms of the
following:

 Physical
 Emotional
 Financial
 Spiritual

Conceptual Framework

An illustrated of Figure 1, the study aimed to

determine the Socio-demographic profile of the respondents,

Total of respondents, Age of respondents and Educational

attainment of respondents. The process of the study it be

gathered information through questionnaires and it will

analyze and interpret the respondents.After determining the

 9

process of the study will determine the difficulties of

being a teenage mother.

Definition of Terms

The study uses terms which are defined conceptually

and operationally to make the study fully understandable to

the readers.

 Pregnancy - it is the condition of a woman or female

that is going to have a baby or babies. (Merriam

Webster, 2018)

Operationally, pregnancy is the main topic and most

being mentioned in this study.

 Teenage Pregnancy - refers to the conception by a girl

between the ages of twelve (12) and nineteen (19) year

old which was not planned for.

(https://gabrinezgemina0.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/thes

is-dissertation-of-teenage-pregnancy-its-effect-on-

educational-development-of-students-and-out-of-school-

youth-scope-and-delimitation)

Operationally, teenage pregnancy is the main subject

of the problem.
 10

 Mother - a female parent. (Merriam Webster, 2018)

Operationally, they will be the respondents of the

students, teenage mothers coming from the selected brgy. Of

Pontevedra.
 11

CHAPTER II

Related Review of Literature

This chapter is consist of literatures and studies

that are important to the understanding of the researchers

and readers.

Foreign Literature

In 2011, teen pregnancy in the United Sates hit a

record low at 31.3 births per 1,000 women ages fifteen to

nineteen years old (“QuickStats,” 2012). Cavazos-Rehg,

Krauss, Spitznagel, Schootman, Cottler, and Bierut (2013)

estimated that teenage pregnancy is “as much as nine times

higher than in other developed countries” (p.470). Many of

these young mothers face challenges that affect their life,

as well as their children, including being single parents,

not earning their high school diploma, and living in

poverty (Basch, 2011; Weiss, 2012). It is estimated that

one in four teenage pregnancies is unwanted and that “three

fourths of all teenage pregnancies are unintended” (East,

Chien, Barber, 2012, p. 180). Parenting as an adolescent

increases the teenagers stress level, especially if that

 12

pregnancy is unwanted or unintended. Research has shown

that being a teen parent can be especially stressful due to

education disruption, being unprepared for parenthood,

disruption in their life plans, sudden monetary burden,

realization that the teen will have a lifelong connection

with the other parent (East, et. al., 2012). Many studies

have been conducted on the adolescents mental health both

prior to and post birth. Some has shown that low self-

esteem in adolescent is associated with a variety of

behavior, including pregnancy (Ditsela, et. al.,2011; East,

et.al. 2012).

Research has also shown that when non-pregnant and

pregnant teenagers are compared,those who are pregnant tend

to have an external locus of control is defined as “ the

continuum between internal ownership of one’s power and

action” by Ditsela and Van Dyke (2011, p.581). These

findings suggest that high self-esteem and international

locus of control, the belief “that their actions determine

their life events” (Ditsela, Van Dyke, 2011, p.581) can act

as protective factors.
 13

Local 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 reacts 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 ( Cleamens,

2002). According to Macleod and Durrheim (2003), teenage

pregnancy as a social problem that leads to the disruption

of schooling; poor obstetric outcomes, relationship

difficulties with relatives, partners and peers; and

demographic concerns about increasing population numbers.

In major cases, teenage mothers are not in a position to go

back to school after delivery as they are forced to look

after their children. In some cases, these young mothers,

 14

physical health conditions do not make it conductive 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 the women. According to the psychodynamic

theory, depresor 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.

Socializations is also factors. He defines socializations

as the process by which humans learn the culture of their

society and become adult members of that society in which

they live.

A study of Ehlers (2003),found that the female

adolescents who were poor students with low educational

 15

aspirations were 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.

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) adolescent generally

encounter more problems during pregnancy and child birth

than older women. The long –term affects of pregnancies are

far reaching and teenage mothers face difficulties such as

dropping out of school. Dlamini (2002:178)stated in his

study the problems that might affect the pregnant

adolescents’ psychologically, emotionally and also 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

 16

child were not willing to support or even denied for being

a father and non acceptance of pregnancy by the

adolescents’ parents. A study of Darisi (2007) stated that

a negative perspective on 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, in on telligence and maturity. Young

mothers are often well-aware of these assumptions.

According to Ioannidi – Kapolou (2004) lack of

accurate informations on sex educations is one of the

reasons for the increasing number of unwanted pregnancies

among teenagers.
 17

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the Design of the study,

particularly the research method and technique to be used.

The Locale of the study, Respondents of the study, Research

Instrument, How the subject are chosen, and how the sample

size is determine.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted on different baranggay of

Pontevedra, Capiz.

Respondents of the study

The researchers choose teenage mothers, ages 13 to 19

years old. The participants in this case, are clearly and

purposely selected. The respondents of the study; 8 are

from Ilawod, Pontvedra, 17 from Tabuc, Pontevedra, 5 from

Tabag, Pontevedra, 10 from Bailan, Pontevedra, 5 from Guba,

 18

Pontevedra and 5 from Sublangon, Pontevedra. A total of 50

respondents.

Research Design

The researchers used Descriptive Type of Research

Design to determine the difficulties of being a teenage

mother and how they deal with the situation.

According to Aquino (2014), Descriptive Research is

fact finding with adequate interpretation. The descriptive

method is something more and beyond just data gathering;

the latter is not reflective thinking of research.

According to Calderon (2008), as cited by Alberto Et

al (2011), descriptive method is also known as statistical

research, phenomenon being studied.

Sampling Method

The researchers selected their subjects through

purposive sampling in which the respondents are only

teenagers who got pregnant at the age between 13 to 19

 19

years old. In which, the researchers sought for their

individual opinion.

Research Instrument

Gathering of necessary data for this study will be

done through questionnaires. A questionnaire is more useful

and it can easily gathered information from the

respondents.

Validity of Questionaire

The questionnaire will establish face validity and

content validity. In this study will needed one who inspect

on questionnaires construction to check the questions.

Reliability of Questionnaire

The researchers will able to adapt the questionnaires

for the respondents, which is the respondents will answer.

 20

Research Procedure

The research procedure section of initial ask study

teams describe overall purpose and aims of there study as

well as to provide a brief overview of study procedures

and/or intervention (https://kb.wisc.edu/hsirbs/page.php)

The researchers will make an approval letter to be

signed by the Brgy. Captain for conducting this research

study. The researcher will prepare the distributing of the

questionnaire to the respondents and before the survation,

the researcher will submit the questionnaires to Brgy.

Captain for approval.

Data Analysis Procedure

The data were processed by means of the Statistical

Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS)

Scoring Intderval

To facilitate the analysis, the raw data were scored

using the following scoring as guide basis:

 21

Scoring Categories Scoring Interval Response Verbal

3 2.3 – 2.8 Strongly Agree Very High

2 1.7 – 2.2 Slightly Agree High

1 1 – 1.6 Agree Moderately

Statistical Treatment

The researchers will use frequency distribution.

According to Google frequency distribution is a list of

table or graph that displays the frequency of various out

come to find out the total of teenage mothers in a selected

barangay in Pontevedra, Capiz.