CAUSES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY PART 1 || MERCYLINE.
This article forms the second of a two-part series in which South African research on teenage pregnancy is reviewed. Part 1 of the series dealt with the consequences of teenage pregnancy; this paper reviews the ‘causes’ thereof. International literature is incorporated in the discussion by way of comparison. Contributory factors which have been investigated by South African researchers include: reproductive ignorance; the earlier occurrence of menarche; risk- taking behaviour; psychological problems; peer influence; coercive sexual relations; dysfunctional family patterns; poor health services; socio-economic status; the breakdown of cultural traditions; and the cultural value placed on children. Preston-Whyte and colleagues present a revisionist argument, stating that early pregnancy may represent a rational life choice for certain adolescent women. The article is concluded with comments on methodological problems encountered in the South African research, and a discussion on the implications in terms of policy formulation.
Access Options
Research off-campus without worrying about access issues. Find out about Lean Library here
| Adler, N.E., Tschann, J.M. (1993). Conscious and preconscious motivation for pregnancy among female adolescents. In Lawson, A., Rhode, D.L. (Eds), The politics of pregnancy: adolescent sexuality and public policy (pp. 144–158). New Haven & London: Yale University Press Google Scholar | |
| Amod, Z., Shmukler, D. (1986). Sexual attitudes and behaviour of Indian South African students. South African Journal of Psychology, 16, 21–26 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Anagnostara, A. (1988). The construction and evaluation of a scale for assessing the sexual attitudes of black adolescents. Unpublished master's thesis, Rand Afrikaans University Google Scholar | |
| Bam, N. (1994). An analysis of sexuality education programmes presented in secondary schools. Unpublished master's thesis, Rand Afrikaans University Google Scholar | |
| Bailie, R. (1991). ‘We have it, we sit on it’: a formative evaluation of a high school sexuality education programmes. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Cape Town Google Scholar | |
| Blom, S.M. (1989). 'n Ondersoek na die gesinsbelewing deur ongetroude swanger adolessente. Unpublished master's thesis, University of the Free State Google Scholar | |
| Bodibe, C.R. (1994). Investigating the sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of black adolescents. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of South Africa Google Scholar | |
| Boult, B. E. (1992). Children having children: black adolescent multiparas. Salus, 14, 16, 17, 23 Google Scholar | |
| Boult, B.E., Cunningham, P.W. (1992). Black teenage pregnancy: a socio-medical approach. Medicine and Law, 11, 159–165 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Breakwell, G.M. (1993). Psychological and social characteristics of teenagers who have children. In Lawson, A., Rhode, D.L. (Eds), The politics of pregnancy: adolescent sexuality and public policy (pp. 159–173). New Haven & London: Yale University Press Google Scholar | |
| Brits, W.J. (1989). Die ontoereikende verwerkliking van sosiopedagogiese essensies as aanleiding tot tienerswangerskappe. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Pretoria Google Scholar | |
| Buga, G.A.B., Amoko, D.H.A., Ncayiyana, D.J. (1996a). Sexual behaviour, contraceptive practice and reproductive health among school adolescents in rural Transkei. South African Medical Journal, 86, 523–527 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Buga, G.A.B., Amoko, D.H.A., Ncayiyana, D.J. (1996b). Adolescent sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitudes to sexuality among school girls in Transkei, South Africa. East African Medical Journal, 73, 95–100 Google Scholar | Medline | ISI | |
| Butler, J.R., Burton, L.M. (1990). Rethinking teenage childbearing: is sexual abuse a missing link. Family Relations, 39, 73–80 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Caldas, S.J. (1993). Current theoretical perspectives on adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Research, 8, 4–20 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Cameron, N., Richter, L., McIntyre, J., Dhlamini, N., Garstang, L. (1996). Progress report: Teenage Pregnancy and Birth Outcome in Soweto. Unpublished report: University of the Witwatersrand Google Scholar | |
| Carolissen, R.L. (1993). The social context of adolescent pregnancy: the case of Mamre. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Cape Town Google Scholar | |
| Channing-Pearce, S.M., Solomon, L. (1987). Pubertal development in black and white Johannesburg girls. South African Medical Journal, 71, 22–24 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Chilman, C.S. (1985). Feminist issues in teenage parenting. Child Welfare, 64, 225–234 Google Scholar | Medline | ISI | |
| Craig, A.P., Richter-Strydom, L.M. (1983a). Unplanned Pregnancies among urban Zulu school children: a summary of the salient results from a preliminary investigation. The Journal of Social Psychology, 121, 239–246 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Craig, A.P., Richter-Strydom, L.M. (1983b). Unplanned Pregnancies among urban Zulu schoolgirls. South African Medical Journal, 63, 452–455 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| De Villiers, V.P., Clift, H.E. (1979). Tienderjarige swangerskappe —'n sosio-ekonomiese probleem met bose kringloop gevolge. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 15, 195–199 Google Scholar | |
| De Villiers, V.P. (1985). Tienerjarige swangerskap in die Paarl-hospitaal. South African Medical Journal, 67, 301–302 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Du Toit, A. (1983). Die taak van maatskaplike werk ten opsigte van die ongehude moeder as enkelouer. Unpublished honours thesis, Potchefstroom University Google Scholar | |
| Fine, M. (1988). Sexuality, schooling and adolescent females: the missing discourse of desire. Harvard Educational Review, 58, 29–53 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Flisher, A.J., Roberts, M.M., Blignaut, R.J. (1992). Youth attending Cape peninsula day hospitals: sexual behaviour and missed opportunities for contraception counselling. South African Journal of Medicine, 82, 104–107 Google Scholar | Medline | ISI | |
| Flisher, A.J., Ziervogel, C.F., Chalton, D.O., Leger, P.H., Robertson, B.A. (1993). Risk-taking behaviour of Cape peninsula high-school students. Part III: sexual behaviour. South African Medical Journal, 83, 495–497 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Gordon, D.E. (1990). Formal operation thinking: the role of cognitive-developmental processes in adolescent decision-making about pregnancy and contraception. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 60, 346–356 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Gunston, K.D. (1986). Age of menarche, standard of education and early adolescent pregnancy. South African Medical Journal, 69, 539 Google Scholar | |
| Hanson, S.L., Myers, D.E., Ginsburg, A.L. (1987). The role of responsibility and knowledge in reducing teenage out-of-wedlock childbearing. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 49, 241–256 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Harilal, J.R.J. (1993). An investigation into the need for sex education for Indian secondary school pupils. Unpublished master's thesis, University of South Africa Google Scholar | |
| Hayward, M.D., Grady, W.R., Billy, J.O.G. (1992). The influence of socioeconomic status on adolescent pregnancy. Social Science Quarterly, 73, 750–772 Google Scholar | ISI | |
| Henly, J.R. (1993). The significance of social context: the case of adolescent childbearing in the African American community. Journal of Black Psychology, 19, 461–477 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Jorgensen, S.R. (1991). Project taking charge: an evaluation of an adolescent pregnancy prevention program. Family Relations, 40, 373–380 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Jurs, J. (1984). Correlation of moral development with use of birth control and pregnancy among teenage girls. Psychological Reports, 55, 1009–1010 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Kau, M. (1988). Sexual behaviour and contraceptive use by adolescent pupils in the Republic of Boputhatswana. Curatonis, 11, 9–12 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Kau, M. (1989). Sexual behaviour and knowledge of adolescent males in the Molopo region of Boputhatswana. Unpublished master's thesis, Fort Hare University Google Scholar | |
| Kulin, H.E. (1988). Adolescent pregnancy in Africa: a programmatic focus. Social Science and Medicine, 26, 727–735 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Luster, T., Small, S.A. (1994). Factors associated with sexual risk- taking behaviors among adolescents. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56, 622–632 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Magwentshu, B.M. (1990). A critical analysis of sex education knowledge and behaviour of teenagers in Soweto high schools: a nursing perspective. Unpublished master's thesis, University of South Africa Google Scholar | |
| Mahomed, K., Masona, D. (1991). Adolescent pregnancy-A prospective survey of contraceptive knowledge and reproductive behaviour. Central African Journal of Medicine, 37, 316–321 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Makhetha, T.E. (1996). Adolescent pregnancy and its birth outcome among adolescents aged 13 to 16 in Soweto, Gauteng region. Unpublished master's thesis, University of the Witwatersrand Google Scholar | |
| Mayekiso, T., Twaise, N. (1993). Assessment of parental involvement in imparting sexual knowledge to adolescents. South African Journal of Psychology, 23, 21–23 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Meyer, V.F. (1991). A critique of adolescent pregnancy prevention research: the invisible white male. Adolescence, 26, 217–222 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Mfono, Z. (1990). Parents and the teenage pregnancy. Salus, 13, 6–8 Google Scholar | |
| Mkhize, Z.M. (1995). Social needs of teenage mothers in the rural communities of Ongoye and Enseleni districts. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Zululand Google Scholar | |
| Mogotlane, S. (1993). Teenage pregnancy: an unresolved issue. Unpublished report, Department of Nursing Sciences, Medical University of Southern Africa Google Scholar | |
| Mosidi, E.D. (1992). Sexuality in pregnant adolescents attending a clinic south-west of Johannesburg. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Natal Google Scholar | |
| Nicholas, L.J. (1993). Intra-familial communication about contraception: a survey of black South African freshmen. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 16, 291–300 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | |
| Nicholas, L.J. (1994). Sex counselling in educational settings. Johannesburg: Skotaville Google Scholar | |
| Nicholas, L.J., Durrheim, K., Tredoux, C.G. (1994). Lying as a factor in research on sexuality. Psychological Reports, 75, 839–842 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Ntombela, B.B. (1992). The perception of pregnancy of the black primigravida in the Umlazi area of KwaZulu. Unpublished master's thesis, University of South Africa Google Scholar | |
| Olivier, L. (1987). Sex and the South African woman. Johannesburg: Lowry Publishers Google Scholar | |
| O'Mahoney, D. (1987). Schoolgirl pregnancies in Libode, Transkei. South African Medical Journal, 71, 771–773 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Oosthuizen, V. (1990). The establishment of sexual values in the teenage girl. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Pretoria Google Scholar | |
| Oz, S., Tari, A., Fine, M. (1992). A comparison of the psychological profiles of teenage mothers and their nonmother peers: II. Responses to a set of TAT cards. Adolescence, 27, 357–367 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Page, N.P. (1990). Effectiveness of a sex education programme in changing sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of black adolescents. Unpublished master's thesis, University of the Witwatersrand Google Scholar | |
| Peltzer, K., Likwa, R. (1992–93). Psychosocial aspects of unwed adolescent pregnancy in Lusaka, Zambia. International Journal of Mental Health, 21, 50–58 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Petersen, R. (1996). 'n Studie oor tienerswangerskappe in Paarl- Oos met spesiale verwysing na sosio-ekonomiese faktore. Unpublished master's thesis, University of the Western Cape Google Scholar | |
| Plotnick, R.D. (1992). The effects of attitudes on teenage premarital pregnancy and its resolution. American Sociological Review, 57, 800–811 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Pond, T.S. (1987). A psychodynamic approach to the adolescent unmarried mother. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Pretoria Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E. (1991). Teenage pregnancy in selected coloured and black communities. Unpublished report, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E., Allen, J. (1992). Teenage pregnancy in the coloured community. In Burman, S., Preston-Whyte, E. (Eds), Questionable issue: illegitimacy in South Africa (pp. 208–225). Cape Town: Oxford University Press Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E., Louw, J. (1986). The end of childhood: an anthropological vignette. In Burman, S., Reynolds, P. (Eds), Growing up in a divided society: the contexts of childhood in South Africa (pp. 360–92). Evanston: Northwestern University Press Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E., Zondi, M. (1989). To control their own reproduction: the agenda of black teenage mothers in Durban. Agenda, 4, 47–68 Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E., Zondi, M. (1991). Adolescent sexuality and its implications for teenage pregnancy and AIDS. South African Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 9, 1389–1394 Google Scholar | |
| Preston-Whyte, E., Zondi, M. (1992). African teenage pregnancy: whose problem? In Burman, S., Preston-Whyte, E. (Eds), Questionable issue: illegitimacy in South Africa (pp. 226–246). Cape Town: Oxford University Press Google Scholar | |
| Rainey, D.Y., Stevens-Simon, C., Kaplan, D.W. (1995). Are adolescents who report prior sexual abuse at higher risk for pregnancy? Child Abuse & Neglect, 19, 1283–1288 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Rauch-Elnekave, H. (1994). Teenage motherhood: its relationship to undetected learning problems. Adolescence, 29, 91–103 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Reynoso, T.C., Felice, M.E., Shragg, G.P. (1993). Does American acculturation affect the outcome of Mexican-American teenage pregnancy? Journal of Adolescent Health, 14, 257–261 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Richter, L.M. (1996). A survey of reproductive health issues among urban black youth in South Africa. Unpublished report: Medical Research Council, Pretoria Google Scholar | |
| Robinson, R.B., Frank, D.I. (1994) The relation between self-esteem, sexual activity, and pregnancy. Adolescence, 29, 27–35 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Rhode, D.L. (1993). Adolescent pregnancy and public policy. In Lawson, A., Rhode, D.L. (Eds), The politics of pregnancy: adolescent sexuality and public policy (pp. 301–335). New Haven & London: Yale University Press Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Schoeman, M.N. (1990). Sexuality education among Black South African teenagers: what can reasonably be expected? Curationis, 13, 13–18 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Seabela, J.R. (1990). Teenage unwed motherhood amongst blacks: a sociological study. Unpublished master's thesis, University of South Africa Google Scholar | |
| Setiloane, C.W.M. (1990). Contraceptive use amongst urban and rural youths in South Africa: a comparative study. Curationis, 13, 44–48 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Seydel, K. (1992). The influence of sex education on sexual knowledge and attitudes of sexually-active adolescent schoolgirls. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Stellenbosch Google Scholar | |
| Sigwaza, T., Ross, S., Mfeka, X., Dlamini, S., Ngubane, S., Philpott, H. (1995). Draft report on sexual behaviour, knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception in the Nhlangwini community. Unpublished report, Centre for Health and Social Studies and Planned Parenthood Association, Hilton Google Scholar | |
| Trad, P.V. (1993). The ability of adolescents to predict future outcome Part 1: assessing predictive abilities. Adolescence, 28, 533–555 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Van Coeverden de Groot, H.A., Greathead, E.E. (1987). The Cape Town teenage clinic. South African Medical Journal, 71, 434–436 Google Scholar | Medline | |
| Van der Elst, E. (1993). A sexuality education training programme for guidance counsellor trainees: a qualitative inquiry and evaluation. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Cape Town Google Scholar | |
| Weitsz, G.H. (1990). Towards a school-based parenting programme on early adolescent sexuality. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Rand Afrikaans University Google Scholar | |
| Wood, K., Maforah, F., Jewkes, R. (1996). Sex, violence and constructions of love among Xhosa adolescents: putting violence on the sexuality education agenda. Unpublished report: Medical Research Council, Cape Town Google Scholar |
