High rates of teenage pregnancy do not occur in isolation

THERE are several factors that should not be overlooked when addressing the high rate of teenage pregnancy in South Africa

A teenage pregnancy, as defined by the American Pregnancy Association, is a pregnancy that occurs for a woman under the age of 20. A young woman 12 years and under who falls pregnant, although not a teenager, falls under this definition as well.

Factors such as ignorance, risky behaviour, a lack of strong family structure, poverty and gender inequality contribute to the high rate of teenage pregnancy.

Structurally, the limitation of access to contraceptives, inconsistent and incorrect use thereof, coupled with the restricted access to termination and the shaming that follows it, make teenagers prone to fall into this vicious cycle.

Teenage pregnancy rates in South

Africa have reached alarming proportions in recent years. Although this is not a new issue, the global pandemic's precariousness and the country's lockdown measures have brought the issue to light, resulting in a surge in teen pregnancies.

The Gauteng Health Department recorded more than 23 000 teenage pregnancies between April 2020 and March 2021 with a disturbing figure of 934 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 giving birth and 2 976 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 choosing to terminate their pregnancies.

These figures have devastating socio-economic consequences because early pregnancy drives these young women to drop out of school, exposing them to potential unemployment as the majority of them never return to school, potentially perpetuating a poverty cycle. Their mental health becomes a concern because of the stigma that is accompanied by this.

It is not lost on us that, if not acted upon soon, these disturbing figures may result in a devastating set-back that may impact the life of teenagers.

Research shows child-support grants are not a possible enticement for young girls to become pregnant. However, it suggests that poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities are linked with teenage pregnancy. The psychological effects of all this are devastating for both the young mother and the child.

Teen mothers face significant levels of stress, they have higher rates of suicidal ideation than their peers who aren’t mothers, and they are twice as likely to suffer from post-partum depression as their adult counterparts. Symptoms of post-partum depression include difficulty bonding with your baby, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and panic attacks, and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. As a result, it is imperative to have systems and tools which aim to support these teenagers.

The role of the parent and the family structure is amplified when we look at relationships and communication styles that parents have with their young children. Communication is significant as a process that can demonstrate the link between parental-child influences on issues relating to sexuality.

Certainly, parents cannot rely solely on the sex education and teen pregnancy prevention programs which are offered in schools when empirical evidence suggests that for young children to absorb what is being taught, a certain level of parental participation is essential.

Teenage pregnancy takes a toll on the teenager as well as the entire family structure, thus it is important to seek help as a means to cope with the different emotions that may come. It can be a devastating sight to see your child become a parent because children are meant to be children, not to give birth to them.

However, keep in mind that this is not the end of the world and that your child's life is not over. A young child can still reach their highest potential with the right guidance, solid family structure, and community support.

Lebogang Mokotedi, education intern at the Seriti Institute NPC