Qualitative Study on the Reactions of Barangay Social Workers and Experiences of Youths Involved in Teenage Pregnancy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Teenagers nowadays are sexually active yet they have limited access to sex education and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services. Media, on the other hand, promotes sexuality to the young which may mislead them with wrong information about sex that is why parents play an important role in the lives of their children. Various researchers have been conducted along this line, however, they failed to determine the reaction of social workers and experiences of teenagers who became pregnant at an early age.

METHODS

A qualitative exploratory design was used to uncover the life experiences of individuals enabling them to interpret and attribute meaning to their experiences. Those identified to have been pregnant at an early age and the social workers from Campamento, Diffun, Quirino were chosen as respondents wherein voluntary participation was highly emphasized. Participant-observation, structured interview and in-depth interview with the respondents were the primary tools utilized. Thematic analysis was used to analyze all gathered data.

RESULTS

Majority of the respondents indicated that one cause of teenage pregnancy is aggressiveness. Curiosity about sexual activities and lack of self-discipline as well as self-controlled them to get pregnant at an early age. Respondents also revealed that family problems affected them resulting in depression that forced them to seek love and support from the opposite sex. Furthermore, the lack of attention from parents and peer pressures caused them to get involved in early pregnancy. Family planning due to lack of education, disobedience to parents' advice and taking vices influenced by peers were also identified as contributory factors to the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the locale. On the reactions of the social workers, failure to listen to parents' advice prevailed as the leading cause of teenage pregnancy among youths nowadays.

DISCUSSIONS

The results of the study showed that teenagers should be properly guided not only within the family but also other groups of people that may have a direct influence on them. When misguided, teenagers tend to become aggressive. Parents should make necessary actions and provide the needs of their children to ensure proper upgrading, nurturing and safety. Authorities should provide programs and services for the youths to prevent early teenage pregnancy, emphasizing the awareness on its effects as well as the strengthening of the integration of sex education in the curriculum.