Perceptions of adolescents from Bajo Boulogne, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on teenage pregnancy: A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction. Parenthood is seen as a role played by adults, so teenage pregnancy is considered a problem. Such perspective is a social construct. This is an intricate, nuanced issue that varies depending on the different populations. Our objectives were obtaining the perceptions about teenage pregnancy from adolescents living in a community in a highly vulnerable social and health situation and explore their thoughts on how it impacted the different spheres of life and decision-making behaviors leading to parenthood in this stage. Population and methods. This was a descriptive, qualitative study done in the city of Boulogne Sur Mer, San Isidro. Adolescents aged 14-19 years were interviewed between January and July 2017. Their opinions about the following were analyzed: teenage pregnancy; the impact of pregnancy on the nuclear family, friends, and school; decision-making and considerations about parenthood; and how the pregnancy process itself was experienced. Results. A total of 20 adolescents participated. It was observed that teenage pregnancy was experienced as problematic and disruptive, and as the result of a complex network of causes. Adolescents and their social circle went through this process with ambiguity, resulting in a distance between what is socially perceived as desirable and what was actually occurring in the neighborhood. Conclusions. Pregnancy arises as a disruptive phenomenon in this stage of life, giving rise to feelings of ambiguity, stigmatization, fear, and loneliness among adolescents.