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A brief discussion of some of the factors often associated with adolescent pregnancy will follow. 2.3.1 Female Gender Role Firstly, three concepts need to be defined, that is, gender; gender role and gender typing. According to Galambos (2004) the term ‘gender’ refers to characteristics learnt or acquired by either sex from their society. It is part of that by which individuals define themselves, and give meaning to their actions. Gender role on the other hand refers to appropriate behaviour for either sex as defined within a particular culture (Galambos, 2004). Lastly, gender typing refers to the acquisition of traits that are consistent with a particular gender role (Ibid). Some authors have come to perceive teenage pregnancy as resulting from female gender role (Parekh & De La Rey, 1997). Adolescent pregnancy should be understood in a social context in which it occurs. Society socialises its youth through institutions, family, peers and media (Galambos, 2004), and thus the adolescent will clarify for himself or herself the gender role as constructed by the society that he or she belongs to. According to Bierie & Bingham (1994), gender identity is at the core of identity and it equals the acceptance of biological sex. They further argue that the childbearing role is part of female identity, i.e. becoming nurturing and helping. Therefore, values and beliefs held by girls, their goals and behaviours are affected by the childbearing
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Pregnancy arose anxiety and confusion about her own identity. She described her feelings about herself in these words.
“Sometimes I saw myself as a loser in life and I don’t have any chances. Which means I am a mother that’s all. There is nothing I can do in life. Before I fell pregnant I had goals that when I grow up I want to do one, two and three. Every thing is ruined. I am nothing. I am just somebody from nowhere. I did not know myself at all, I mean who I am. I mean, what do I want in life.”
According to developmental theorists, adolescents are either still experimenting with different roles or are in a diffused state whereby they neither search nor commit to an identity. They have not yet achieved identity, for identity can only be achieved after a period of exploration and it is evidenced by commitment to a role (Marcia, 1980). Early pregnancy thus forces the adolescent girl to assume a maternal identity instantly without prior preparation for the
Pregnancy arose anxiety and confusion about her own identity. She described her feelings about herself in these words.
“Sometimes I saw myself as a loser in life and I don’t have any chances. Which means I am a mother that’s all. There is nothing I can do in life. Before I fell pregnant I had goals that when I grow up I want to do one, two and three. Every thing is ruined. I am nothing. I am just somebody from nowhere. I did not know myself at all, I mean who I am. I mean, what do I want in life.”
According to developmental theorists, adolescents are either still experimenting with different roles or are in a diffused state whereby they neither search nor commit to an identity. They have not yet achieved identity, for identity can only be achieved after a period of exploration and it is evidenced by commitment to a role (Marcia, 1980). Early pregnancy thus forces the adolescent girl to assume a maternal identity instantly without prior preparation for the