Exploring the Social and Economic Consequences of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Guyanese Context in order to Develop a Program that will Raise Awareness of the Consequences of Adolescent Pregnancy

This project addresses the social and economic consequences of adolescent pregnancy in the Guyanese context and the need for educational programs that would lead to preventative actions that will benefit the teenage mothers in Guyana. Since the adolescents will eventually form the foundation of the workforce in the country’s economic development, the project analyzes the attitudes of the people close to the adolescents regarding the relational impact in the home, school, community; biblical principles related to adolescent pregnancy; the male involvement; and cultural and peer pressure factors that contribute to the adolescents’ dilemmas. The scope of the research was limited to pregnant adolescents, adolescent mothers 10-19 years, and the factors related to the male involved. This qualitative study used focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and questionnaires. There were 233 participants drawn from four administrative regions in Guyana. The data were analyzed thematically using the emergent themes; the reality of social norms, reflections about pregnancy, the adolescent new roles as parents, limited support, the effects of school drop-out, adolescent counseling, reintegration-the way forward, and the adolescent speaking out. The research data clearly showed that adolescents have a desire to do whatever it takes to get their lives back once given the opportunity. The principal conclusion is the adolescent’s reintegration into school; being better supported by society, family, and males involved are the adolescent’s highest priority. The study concludes with a proposed radio and television program under the theme Understanding the Implications of Adolescent Pregnancy.