The impact of teenage pregnancy on the education aspirations of female learners

Abstract

The focus of this study was to determine the impact of teenage pregnancy on the educational aspirations of teenage girls in the Bophirima region of the North West Province. Adolescent pregnancy continues to be a major public concern in South Africa, affecting the social, economic and health status of young people. Currently, it is estimated that there are almost half a million pregnant adolescents at any given time in South Africa and the numbers are increasing. By age 19, 35% of adolescent girls are reported as being pregnant or having had a child. As this study has shown, there are inherent problems associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood. Adolescence is a critical moment in the life of any growing human and the events that occur during adolescence have long-term socio-economic, physical and psychological consequences. The target population for this study, was pregnant adolescents, adolescent mothers between the ages 15 and 19 ( cases of up to 24 year old mothers formed part of the investigation because they were still in the selected schools), their mothers and guidance teachers. Respondents were all from the North West province. The sample was purposive and from rural, peri-urban and urban areas. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that there is, as in the rest of South Africa, prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in North West province, especially in the Bophirima region and that it affects the educational and career

advancement of adolescent girls. While there was an indication that most of them went back to school after the birth of their babies, there was also an indication that most of them do not pursue their initial career choices because they want to finish school and work to support children. The study indicates that some would take any job, and in most cases, low - paying jobs in order to support their children. Others would not see the need to further their education or look for a job but rather depend on the state's child support grant. Findings were as follows: • There is prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Bophirima region. • Many teenagers are having unprotected sex that result in unplanned pregnancies. • There is lack of communication between parents, and their adolescent children about sex, love and relationships. • Parents lack adequate information on sexuality matters. • Motherhood has social and educational consequences on teenage mothers and pregnant girls in the Bophirima region. These findings clearly indicate that teenage pregnancy is a problem and every effort should be made to prevent it.