Browsing by Author "Dlamini, Nothile"

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    Teenage mothers’ experiences of motherhood : schooling, stigma and learned responsibility : a case study of teenage mothers of school going age in a peri-urban area in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Dlamini, Nothile; Pattman, Rob; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study seeks to contribute to research that seeks to understand experiences of teenage motherhood. Drawing on the experiences of fifteen (15) teenage mothers between the ages of 15 to 19 years old, in and out of school, this study investigates the experiences of motherhood among a sample of teenage mothers in a peri-urban area in KwaZulu Natal. Utilising the qualitative approach in the form of semi-structured interviews, the study aimed to investigate teenage mothers’ experiences of motherhood. The focus is of the study is mainly on understanding factors that lead to teenage pregnancy, teenage mothers own risky sexual behavior and lack of access to contraceptives and how this has a bearing on teenage pregnancy. The study further examines the stigma experienced by teenage mothers as well as the gendered notions of this experience. Teenage mothers’ reasons for staying in school, as well as the factors leading up to those decide to leave school are also explored in the study. Findings suggest that teenage motherhood presents with feelings of fear and sadness at the realisation of the pregnancy. Family reactions at finding out also differ with some experiencing anger, and disappointment at the pregnancy. Often, participants reported that they were not aware that they were pregnant and had symptoms of teenage pregnancy and for some; knowledge of their pregnancy came from the boyfriend and father of the child before their realised that they are pregnant. The participants related reasons for returning to school as influenced by their need to have a better job in the future and to take care of their children. Others returned to school because of influence by parents who had been teenage mothers and returned to school. Some of the participants argued that support from teachers played a role in decisions to stay in school. Those participants who left school did so due to lack of support from family and friends and teachers attitudes towards them during and after the pregnancy, as well as financial constraints and not having anyone to take care of the child while they are in school. I conclude that understanding how teenage mothers themselves experience motherhood will assist in unravelling the complex situations and inform policy on structural, context-specific interventions that will help keep teenage mothers in the education system.