How parental acceptance impacts lives of teen mothers

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OPINION

By Brenda Asiimwe

Parental stigma and rejection intensify community, public, and institutional stigma against pregnant teenagers, while support leads to more positive outcomes, enabling girls to obtain normalcy amidst the tumultuous situation they find themselves in. This insight comes from my Master's dissertation in International Development, titled “From stigma to support: How parental acceptance positively impacts the lives of pregnant teenagers and teen mothers.”

In the study, I explored how parental attitudes toward pregnant girls evolve from stigma to support and how this shift influences their education and career prospects, particularly in low-income households. The case studies were obtained in the Mayuge and Kamuli districts, where the teenage pregnancy rate of 48.5% and 35.8% respectively exceeds the national average of 25%.

The study participants included parents who had a pregnant teenager as well as women under the age of 40 who experienced teenage motherhood. By incorporating narratives from both parents and their daughters, the study provided a comprehensive perspective that is not widely documented, especially in media reports.

It should be noted that whilst more studies have been conducted about the causes, implications, and prevention of teenage pregnancy, there is limited information about supporting teenage mothers to continue formal education. A study participant narrates her experience.

“In 2007, I completed my senior four education, however, due to our large family of eight children, my mother suggested that we take turns pursuing our studies. After senior four, she told me to stay at home and wait for my elder sisters, who were in A-level and some attending university, to complete their education before I could resume. Every year after, she would assure me that it would happen, and I would prepare accordingly. Regrettably, she never kept her promise, and I grew weary of waiting. Out of frustration, I decided to enjoy life with my boyfriend to annoy her also and as a result, I conceived. My mother was a single parent and when she learnt of my pregnancy, she was bitter and couldn’t stop verbalising how disappointed she was in me.”

Annabelle Nakabiri Ssebakijje, the founder of Remnant Generation an organization supporting pregnant and teen mothers’ notes that while every parent wishes the best for their child, a girl becoming pregnant while in school is often treated as the ultimate sin. She explains that it rarely matters how the pregnancy occurred whether through rape, incest, or other circumstances. Such girls are labelled as failures, discarded, deemed misfits, and burdened with talk that they have damaged their family’s pride and name.

Reflecting on her own upbringing, Annabelle shares her experiences of enduring significant hardships in a polygamous household, where unchecked abuse heightened the risks of teen pregnancy.

The World Health Organisation 2024 report highlights teenage pregnancy as a global issue with causes, and implications on health, society, and the economy well documented. As such United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) indicates that the risks of teenage pregnancy are not exclusive to low- and middle-income countries and noting that they persist in areas affected by poverty, rural living, and low education levels, even in high-income countries. However, more studies indicate that an estimated 95% of teenage motherhood occurs in low- and middle-income countries where Uganda falls.

The study participants included parents who had a pregnant teenager. File Photo

Case for the pregnant teenagers

This research topic was inspired by my previous work experiences and interactions with teen mothers. I noticed that many affected girls, especially in low-income households, were treated harshly or regarded with indifference by their parents. This mistreatment, lack of support, or forced marriage often culminates in aborted education and career dreams for many.

Leaving these girls behind is one of the barriers to Uganda's realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 (gender equity) and Goal 4 (inclusive and quality education). While this study focused on Uganda, a broader review of the literature revealed that affected teenagers in other countries like Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe face similar challenges.

As a strong advocate for education, fully aware of the opportunities it creates for both men and women but especially for women, seeing multitudes of young girls denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams because of pregnancy is disheartening. Among girls aged 14-18 years dropping out of school in Uganda, 22.3% is due to pregnancy-related causes per the Ministry of Education and Sports.

A report by the National Planning Authority (2021) established that the dropout rate among girls increased during the COVID-19 period, and had estimated 4.5 million girls (30%) would drop out of school due to pregnancy. This alarming percentage represents missed opportunities not just for the affected girls, but for their families and communities as well.

Timothy Opobo, the Executive Director of AfriChild, an organization that has conducted extensive research on teenage pregnancy in Uganda, explains that pregnant teenagers are not fully equipped to handle the challenges they face. The absence of parental support, he notes, causes significant emotional and psychological distress, which can damage their self-esteem and confidence, making it difficult for them to regain stability.

“Some of these girls abandon their villages and relocate, and we see cases of suicide and lives lost to unsafe abortions,” he elaborates.

Opobo adds that in Uganda and much of Africa, the sociocultural setup places parents as pivotal pillars in the lives of their children. Their influence extends not only to the child but also to the broader community. “When a girl becomes pregnant, how her parents respond will directly influence how the community treats both the girl and her family,” he emphasizes.

The study reinforced this sentiment, with all ten women I interviewed echoing how their parents' support was vital in continuing their education after pregnancy. One of the study participants elaborates.

“While I was seven months pregnant, my mother expressed her desire for me to return to school after giving birth. I was initially uncertain about whether it was feasible. After giving birth, my passion for education was reignited, and whenever I saw other children in their school uniforms, I couldn't help but envy them. I decided to join a nearby secondary school, and my mother was thrilled. In addition to caring for the baby, she provided me with tuition.”

Research findings

The study indicated that when parents extended acceptance and support, it had a ripple effect on the broader community and institutions such as schools, thereby combating stigma. There are barriers to the successful implementation of the revised guidelines on pregnancy prevention and management in schools passed by the Ministry of Education and Sports towards the end of 2020.

While the guidelines require schools to readmit mothers and girls after pregnancy, with guidance on tackling stigma and discrimination, most schools lack the necessary infrastructure to support the needs of pregnant and teen mothers, such as childcare facilities and onsite counselling services.

Ultimately, the multiple and complex barriers faced by teen mothers and pregnant teens highlight the need for comprehensive support systems, with parents playing a key role in establishing a foundation for this. Until we address the complex socioeconomic factors that drive teenage pregnancy rates, we must ensure that affected girls are supported in the best ways possible.

Opobo suggests the need for more parental education, a reorientation of mindsets, and honest conversations to help parents truly understand the consequences of rejecting their daughters for falling pregnant.

“Some parents say, ‘Let’s make her an example for the other children,’ but no one wins with that decision,” he explains. Opobo emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among parents and reminding them of their obligations to support and care for their children.

“These affected teens, though they are mothers, are still children themselves and require care and guidance,” he adds.

The study collaborated with Opobo’s thoughts and found that supporting teen mothers strengthened family bonds and created an avenue for other children in the family to learn from the experience. The teen mothers’ experiences sparked conversations in families about teenage pregnancy and how to prevent it, something that was rarely discussed before.

Additionally, some of the women in the study serve as role models within their communities, inspiring families that have faced similar challenges to better support their daughters. Notably, some of these women have become vocal about their experiences, hoping to inspire younger girls and boys to make different choices for their futures, particularly by staying in school as one of the participants shared.

“I have chosen to use my experience to support girls in the community who face similar situations. As a Health Facility in-Charge and Midwife, I encounter girls seeking abortions. In these cases, I provide appropriate guidance and counselling based on their circumstances. I have inspired many girls, helping them understand that there is life after teenage pregnancy if they remain focused and determined.”

Nakabiri narrated the ordeal of a seven-months-pregnant teenager they rescued after she had attempted to take her life at the Kabaka’s Lake in Ndeeba. The girl, feeling defeated and hopeless, believed there was no future for herself or the baby she was carrying.

With the support of Remnant Generation, she enrolled in university, having conceived during her Senior Six vacation. She successfully completed her course, and, ironically, her parents who had previously rejected any form of reconciliation wanted to associate with her academic achievement.

Nakabiri says, “we have lost a lot of talent because many girls are given up on. Society values you based on qualifications, not as a human being first.” She adds, “The way a daughter gets pregnant may not be desirable, but you can have both your granddaughter and the degree.” Nakabiri emphasizes the importance of compassion, love, and forgiveness from parents toward their pregnant daughters. She acknowledges that people will always have opinions, but at the end of the day, “When you set your daughter on a path to succeed, that’s all that truly matters.”
The study unequivocally demonstrated that parental support for teenage mothers' education not only rekindles their opportunities to pursue academic aspirations but also propels them toward gainful employment. The participants in this study have found themselves in diverse forms of employment, including social workers, lawyers, teachers, midwives, nurses, and some are currently pursuing further studies.

It's worth highlighting that all the women in the study who are employed actively contribute financially to support their parents and assist in funding their siblings' education. Having gender equity in education and in employment is essential for overall social and economic development which benefits us all.

most schools lack the necessary infrastructure to support the needs of pregnant and teen mothers, such as childcare facilities and onsite counselling services. File Photo

Conclusion

Parental support for pregnant teenagers is instrumental in their future pursuits, as reinforced by this study and a lack of support curtails the opportunities available to a pregnant teenager, as illustrated by recent story in the media. 

Unfortunately, these negative narratives are the dominant, and not many success stories are told about parents who did not give up on their daughters upon learning they were pregnant. Could it be that telling the counter-narrative detracts from the prevention of teenage pregnancy agenda? It does not. Both narratives can coexist, and we can hope that more parents are supportive if their teenager becomes pregnant. 

The writer is an International Development Communications Specialist

Global Health Corps Fellow 2018/2019