| dc.description.abstract | This thesis draws on the concepts of stigma, social construction, agency, resilience and social support to examine the experiences of young mothers living in urban community who had their first child as teenagers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 young mothers between the ages of 14 and 23 years. Data from the interviews were supported with data from observations, a research diary and secondary sources of data. The study found that pregnant teenagers are stigmatized and called ‘bad girls’ due to certain social constructions within their community about the ‘right time’ for motherhood. Teenagers drop out of school during pregnancy with no assurance of returning to school after childbirth. They also face challenges with the way people within and outside their social network relate to them during this period. The study also reveals that older generation of women are the most supportive people within a young mother’s social network, especially when the baby is born. Furthermore, it was found that teenage mothers are resilient and exercise agency as they find ways to adapt to their role as mothers. | en_US |
