Teenage Pregnancy In Lowmans

Candidates Name:

Jamol Ferdinand

Candidates Number: 1500196115

Name of Subject:

Caribbean Studies

Name of School:

St.Vincent Community College

Territory:

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Centre Number:

150019

Date Submitted:

25th Feberuary 2013

Table of Contents
SECTION

__________

PAGE

Introduction.. 3
Literature Review. 4
Data Collection Sources.. 5
Presentation of Findings. . 6
Interpretation of Findings..9
Discussion of Findings 11
Conclusions, Limitations and Recommendations 13
Bibliography 15
Appendix. .16

INTRODUCTION

Relevance of the Topic

Teenage pregnancy has become a major issue in the area of Lowmans. During the past few years,
there has been an ongoing observation of see many young teenage mothers being pregnant in
and around the area of Lowmans. There are many reasons of the causation of teenage pregnancy
but they are mainly (1) Socio-economic factors (2) Lack of discipline and control (3) Adolescent
sexual behaviour and (4) Psychological factors:. This growing problem has attracted attention
from governmental organizations such as the Marion House, agencies for fight against teenage
pregnancy and also the ministry of national mobilisation and education. Many residents are
aware of the situation and have also expressed their concern about this increase in teenage
pregnancy especially the senior citizens in Lowmans. Observation of the situation in Lowmans
is the main factor that influenced the conduct of this study.
Problem Statement
The title of this study is A Survey of the Causes of teenage pregnancy in Lowmans Lowmans
is a sub urban district found in the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines comprising of
several villages and consist of over 1500 households.
However, the growing problem of teenage pregnancy in Lowmans is a major cause for concern .
The study seeks to ascertain what are the causes of teenage pregnancy? What are the effects of
teenage pregnancy? Furthermore to seek possible solutions, if any have been put in place to solve
this problem?
Educational Value
This study can be seen as one that has immense educational value. Teenage pregnancy is
continuing to be a major problem in Saint Vincent. Further more in enables me in gaining
knowledge and understanding on the causes of teenage pregnancy and can further help me as a
male in how I approach or see the situation in the future years to come. My study will therefore
benefit Law and Sociology Students. Government organizations such as the Ministry of
Mobilisation and Youths, The Social welfare and Marion House and other persons who are
involved in fighting teenage pregnancy could also use my study to understand the causation of
teenage pregnancy. The study can also be used to develop plans and strategies to eradicate the
Problem.

LITERATURE REVIEW

In an effort to understand the causes of teenage pregnancy in Lowmans, a number of

Sources were examined. In order for one to examine the causation of teenage pregnancy, a
thorough assessment and comprehensive narrative needs to be done as to further understand the
reasons for the escalating teenage pregnancy problem in Lowmans.

According to World Health Organization (2008) about 16 million women 1519 years old give
birth each year, about 11% of all births worldwide.
Ninety-five per cent of these births occur in low- and middle-income countries. The average
adolescent birth rate in middle income countries is more than twice as high as that in highincome countries, with the rate in low-income countries being five times as high.
The proportion of births that take place during adolescence is about 2% in China, 18% in Latin
America and the Caribbean and more than 50% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Lindsay Blank (2005) in her book Teenage pregnancy prevention initiatives in New Deal
Communities said that Teenage pregnancy is very visible when it happens but the reductions are
less visible and so long as there is one problem family/group of youths etc perception will
still be that there are serious problems with youth and that nothing is being done about it.
Dealing with teenage pregnancy is a difficult issue because of a lack of public mandate and no
concern about reducing teenage pregnancy rates. Teenage pregnancy is a result of many factors
including lack of education, poor perceived outlook and ingrained local culture.
There is a significant inequality in teenage pregnancies, and a tenfold increase in teenage
pregnancy rates between the lowest and highest social classes. Teenage pregnancy is also
associated with poor educational achievement, which again is greater in deprived
neighbourhoods Children of teenage mothers are more likely to have the experience of being a
lone parent and are generally at increased risk of living in poverty, poor housing and suffering
bad nutrition(Teenage pregnancy and parenthood: Health Development Agency, 2003). They are
also more likely to become teenage parents themselves.

DATA COLLECTION SOURCES

Research Design
Applied Research will be used in carrying out this study. The study will collect data from
residents of Lowmans Saint Vincent on the causes of teenage pregnancy and how it affects the
community. Applied Research using Quantitative Methods is an appropriate method of studying
the causes of teenage pregnancy in Lowmans because no qualitative data exists on the issue and
the views of the residents are essential in determining the effects of teenage pregnancy in the
community.
Method of Data Collection
The method of data collection chosen is printed Questionnaires. A Questionnaire is a set of preset questions given to persons who make up the population of the study. A Questionnaire as a
method of data collection is appropriate since it collects quantitative data. It is fairly easy to
distribute and generalizations can also be made based on the data collected and applied in this
case to residents of Lowmans and other small villages in Saint Vincent.
A conventional questionnaire was designed to collect data from respondents. There were thirteen
(13) Questions (Appendix 1) twenty questionnaires were distributed among the residents but
only 13 returned to the investigator. There were 7 males and 13 females from the same
community from which the investigation was done. The questionnaires were distributed while
the investigator walked through the community. The age group of persons who received the
questionnaires ranged from 15-35
Collection of Data
The study was conducted in January 2013. Three weeks in the month of January (January 4
theJanuary 23rd) were used to collect data for the study. The questionnaires were distributed to
residents in Lowmans and the respondents were given three (3) days to complete the
questionnaires and return them to the researcher. Analysis and Presentation of Data
The data will be analyzed using graphic and tabular methods. Descriptive statistics will also be
used in analyzing and presenting the data.

Presentation of Findings
Why do you think teenagers become pregnant?
Is it because of: (A) Peer pressure (B) Drug abuse (C) Ignorance (D) Curiosity (E) Others

Question six
Do you think that parents or guardians are to be blamed for teenage pregnancy?
Yes---

Figure 2

No---

Question 4
At what age group do you think teenage pregnancy is most common?
12-14-----

Figure 3

15-17-----

18-19-----

INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

In figure one the column chart was used to present the reasons why teenagers become pregnant.
Of the ten persons that answered this question on the questionnaire, nine or 90% which is the
highest figure, stated that peer pressure is the main or major reason why teenagers become
pregnant. Seven or 70% of the respondents thought that curiosity was another reason for teenage
pregnancy in the community of Lowmans Leeward. Drugs and other essentials were stated by
three different respondents while four or 40% stated ignorance. After looking at the data that was
presented in figure one, It was quite evident that the major reason responsible for teenagers
becoming pregnant is by peer-pressure. Most girls ranging from ages 12 to 16 are being
influence easily by what they hear from their friends and also what they hear from the media
especially the dance hall songs of Vybz kartel RDX Aidonia and Movado of Jamaica. In this
case, sex is like a word that is normal to them and by the influence of friends that are telling
them theyre stupid to be virgins and having sex would make them feel like adults they the virgin
or young ones now try to fulfil and blend in with their peers by wanting to try it for the first time
and because of their inexperience they become pregnant.
In figure two, the cylinder bar shows that It shows that over 80% of the respondents thinks that
parents and guardians is responsible for teenage pregnancy for they sometimes tend to let their
children or child to do their own thing and also some parents may be facing both social and
financial issues that they may send their daughter to a guy that is financially well to have sex
with him and in return he provides for the family.

In figure three, the cone chart was used to present the age categories in which teenagers become
pregnant. Ten or 66% respondents stated the age category 15-17 and this was consider as the
most. Also six or 40% of the respondents stated 18-19 while the least number of respondents was
13% stated 12-14. In relation to the data in the cone chart presented, it was clearly understood
that most teenagers become pregnant at the ages of 15 to 17 since it is the age of consent for
legal sex.
For question nine that was is teenage pregnancy a problem within your community or country
on a whole? Most of the respondents stated that it is a problem within their community but for
the rest of the country they do not know.

Discussion Of Findings

My research indicated that peer pressure is the main cause for teenage pregnancy. As our society
becomes more civilised and is open to varying cultures mainly externally through the media, the
perception of what makes you normal in society especially among youths ranging between
teenagers and young adults. As we notice in the study that teenage pregnancy is mainly common
between the ages of fifteen to seventeen. This was supported by the World Health Organization
(2008) that stated 16 million women 1519 years old give birth each year, about 11% of all births
worldwide and that ninety-five per cent of these births occur in low- and middle-income
countries which reality is what we are seeing because St Vincent and the Grenadines on a whole
according to the Human Resource Index is seen as a third world country with a middle income
economy.
In addition, my research indicated that parents ought to be blamed for the growing rate in
teenage pregnancy in Lowmans. This may sound harsh, however while interacting with the
responders to my interview while sharing the questionnaire they said that some of these parents
are at times pushing for their daughters to get pregnant for a guy with money or has a job so that
he can provide for her and also to help out with the home which may let us come up to the
conclusion that the real cause is poverty. This observation that poverty helps to increase the
tendency in become a pregnant teenager is supported by Dr. Lindsay Blank (2005) in her book
Teenage pregnancy prevention initiatives in New Deal Communities There is a significant
inequality in teenage pregnancies, and a tenfold increase in teenage pregnancy rates between the
lowest and highest social classes. Teenage pregnancy is also associated with poor educational
achievement, which again is greater in deprived neighbourhoods Children of teenage mothers are
more likely to have the experience of being a lone parent and are generally at increased risk of
living in poverty, poor housing and suffering bad nutrition(Teenage pregnancy and parenthood:
Health Development Agency, 2003). They are also more likely to become teenage parents
themselves.
Furthermore teenage pregnancy is mainly common between the ages of fifteen and seventeen
which many believed is due to the fact of peer pressure. This peer pressure is mainly because
their friends see persons around those ages who are not sexually experienced as abnormal which
is because of a change in cultural shift mainly because of external influences such as mainly
media sources like movies and music. However though, in St Vincent and the Grenadines the law

consent age for boy is sixteen and girls fifteen, some argue that this also is one of the additional
causes for teenage pregnancy not only in Lowmans however but also in the country as a whole.
Moreover however my research has led varying data and opinions concerning whether there is
sufficient sex education in schools to which many said no because many parents are still
sceptical about their children learning about sex at such an age. However though there are
various programmes and workshops placed in the publics domain to educate persons about sex
and the use of contraceptives alone with consequences of unprotected sex.
CONCLUSIONS ,Limitations AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
The study was a survey of the causes of teenage pregnancy in Lowmans Saint Vincent. It
sought to ascertain what influences female Teenagers to get pregnant at such an early age in
the suburban area of Lowmans. Based on the findings it can be concluded that peer pressure
which leads to unprotected sex and poverty are one of the two main reasons as to the cause
and rise in teenage pregnancy in Lowmans. Teenage pregnancy has been at stable but near
increasing rate and that parents play little or no role in guiding their children in the right path.
The media especially plays an important role in the development of teenagers and teenage
pregnancy and furthermore teenagers also have sex, mainly those that are between the ages
of 15-17 because of the age of consent or legal sex.

Limitations
Data collection was limited to administering questionnaires. Few observations were made, since
the type of problem being investigated did not allow much observation to take place. The sample
size is somewhat small and the findings apply only to the community of Lowmans.
St. Vincent and cannot be generalized to all rural communities across Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines since the dynamics of small communities would not be the same everywhere. Shanty
Town was used mainly because it was a growing community and it was known to be a peaceful

place. Another limitation is the validity of the information given from the respondents. Some
respondents may not have given accurate answers because they probably feel it is best not to say
anything. This would also affect the validity of the results.
.Recommendations
(1) Parents should pay more attention to their children especially; the type of friends they
keep, where they are going especially after school, the programmes they are watching on
television and what they are listening to on radio, mp3 players and other devices.
(2) Parents should take the time out to educate their children about sex and the consequences
of sexual abuse, which include sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy and
many others.
(3) The government should look into this grown problem and plan seminars regularly, to
educate teenagers about sex and issues that drive them to have sex at an early age.
(4) Schools need to improve their sex education programmes taking into consideration the
growing influences from the internet, television and artists and their music.
(5) More programmes should be developed to attract teenagers into doing more positive
things with their time, this can incorporate other young women who are teen mothers
sharing their experiences that others can learn from them.

Bibliography

World Health Organisation Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health

From
http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/maternal/adolescent_pregnancy/en/in
dex.html

ECLAC Distribution Unit .Newsletter on progress towards the Millennium Development

Goals from a child rights perspective(2007) Teenage motherhood in LatinAmerica and the
CaribbeanTrends, problems and challengesFrom
http://www.cepal.org/dds/noticias/desafios/0/27920/desafios_4_eng_Final.pdf

Berthoud, R. (2001). Teenage births to ethnic minority women. Population Trends summer
104: 12-7.

Dr L. Blank , Dr . E Govder ,Dr J.P June(2003) Teenage pregnancy prevention initiatives

in New Deal Communities retrived( December 13th 2012) from
http://extra.shu.ac.uk/ndc/downloads/reports/RR7.pdf

Appendix

Dear Respondent,
My name is Jamol Ferdinand. I am 18 years of age and I am attending the St Vincent
Community College. I am currently a second year student doing my School Based Assessment.
I would like your assistance in answering the following questions. The investigation is being
carried out in Lowmans Leeward to observe the causes of teenage pregnancy.
Thanking you in advance
Yours sincerely

Jamol Ferdinand

Questionnaire
Place a tick next to the appropriate answer

(1) Gender

Male----

(2) Age:

15-25----

Female----25-35----

35-45---- Beyond------

(3) Why do teenagers become pregnant?

(A)

Is it because of: Peer pressure-----

Ignorance-----

Social issues---- Drug abuse----

Any other reasons (please state) _____________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
(4) At what age group do you think teenage pregnancy is most common?
12-14-----

15-17-----

18-19-----

(5) Do you think that the sex education, for teenagers received at school is sufficient?
Yes----

No---

(6) Do you think that parents or guardians are to be blamed for teenage pregnancy?
Yes----

No----

(7) Do you think teenage mothers regret becoming pregnant?

Yes----

No----

(8) Do you believe that the society is responsible for teen pregnancy?

Yes-----

No----

(9) Is teenage pregnancy a problem within your community or country on a whole.

Yes-----

No----

(10) What is the impact of teenage pregnancy on A -society and B-young teen mothers

(11) What factor is most powerful in teenagers decision to become pregnant?

________________________________________________________________________
(12) What advice would you give to a teenage mother?

(13) What measures can the government put in place to prevent teenagers from getting pregnant?