Beyond Tender Years: A Sequential Explanatory Study on the Lived Experience of Filipino Women Who Became Teen Mothers (WWBTM) in Selected Areas in Cavite

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a pressing socio-economic and public health problem for communities in the Philippines. Filipino women who become teen mothers (WWBTM) experience a multitude of personal and social issues including persistent poverty, stigma, educational problems, lack of employment opportunities, and health and mental issues. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of these women, specifically to evaluate their quality of life before and after teenage pregnancy, and to describe how they make sense of their lived experience of teenage pregnancy. The Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT) Scale was used to measure their risky behaviors before teenage pregnancy; the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to measure their quality of life before and after teenage pregnancy, and a semi-structured interview guide was used to explore further their overall lived experience of teenage pregnancy. Forty women who became teen mothers from selected areas in Cavite participated in this sequential-explanatory research. Results show that WWBTM view lack of access to birth control and sex education as the main risk factors in their engagement in sexual activities that led to their teenage pregnancy. The WWBTM recognize that there is a common misconception that teenage pregnancy limits educational attainment, but they emphasized that there are other factors that contribute to this such as poverty, because most of them have already stopped schooling before they became pregnant. Majority of the WWBTM are currently living with the father of their child although they are not married. Results also revealed that despite not being mature and prepared enough for motherhood, these women drew strength from their faith, social support systems, and child to overcome the challenges of teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, their lived experience of becoming teen mothers did not hinder them from becoming responsible parents; in fact, it became their driving force to set new goals for themselves, and also for their children. Majority of the WBBTM also expressed that they developed a stronger relationship with their family when they became mothers and want to give back to their family of origin as a way of showing gratitude for the support they provided before, during, and after teenage pregnancy. This research is a testament that there are many discrepancies between common impressions about women who became teen mothers and the reality lived by these women.