The aim of this study was to understand the factors influencing parenthood among young women in KwaMakhutha Township. I used thematic data analysis and the findings of the study showed that new mothers face many challenges, but these helped the participants to grow up and be responsible for their children.
Introduction
- Background of the study
- Problem Statement
- Rationale of the study
- Research context
- Aim of the study
- The objectives of the study were
- Research questions
- Theoretical Framework
- Structure of dissertation
- Definition of concepts
- Conclusion
The purpose of the research was to gain insight into young women's experiences of how they raise their children. This study used social constructivism theory to understand the meaning of motherhood based on participants' perceptions.
Literature Review
- Introduction
- Sexual reproductive health of young people
- Constructions of early motherhood
- Challenges of early motherhood
- Early motherhood as a positive experience
- Family support and early parenthood
- Young men and fatherhood
- Father absence
- Conclusion
Responding to a child's emotional needs is just as important as ensuring emotional safety and well-being (Britto, Lye, Proulx, Yousafzai, Matthews, Vaivada, Perez-Escamilla, Rao, Fernald, MacMillan, Hanson, Wachs, Yao, Yoshikawa, Cerezo , Leckman and Bhutta, 2017 ) and sense of belonging. Motherhood is commonly assumed to have "skills that remain labeled as essential qualities of the hegemonic female", such as "the responsibilities of 'safety, education, training' and the willingness to respond to children's wishes with 'care and respect'". (Malacrida.
Research Methodology
- Introduction
- Research approach
- Research design
- Sampling
- Data collection methods
- Data collection tool
- Data analysis
- Rigour and trustworthiness
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
- Confirmability
- Ethical issues
- Conclusion
Sampling is defined as a procedure used to select the proportion of participants in the study (Terre Blanche & Durrheim, 1999). The guide outlines the topics and issues to be discussed and allowed me to rephrase some questions (Rubin & Babbie, 2011). Rigor refers to the reliability of the data and I show how I ensured accuracy in this study.
Terre Blanche & Durrheim (1999) state that research credibility can be achieved when there is no doubt about the research results. Terre Blanche et al (2006) call transferability the procedure for constructing in-depth descriptions of the phenomenon. This provided rich descriptions of the incident investigated, its perspective and the methodology applied to conduct the investigation.
Participation in the study was voluntary and participants were warned that they could withdraw from the study at any time without any harmful or undesirable consequences. I comprehensively discussed the entire research process and some of the complexities that were inherent in the study.
Presentation and discussion of findings
- Introduction
- Demographic profile of participants
- Circumstances leading to young motherhood
- POSITIVE EXPERIENCES OF MOTHERHOOD
- The meaning of motherhood to the young women
- Sense of purpose and hope
- THE UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY MOTHERHOOD
- The burden of care on young women
- Regrets and loss of freedom as young women
- Rejection by family
- Financial challenges faced by young mothers
- Paternity denial
- Conclusion
She gave birth to her first son while doing grade 11 and returned to school as her mother took care of her child after her birth. Zoliswa reported that the father of her first child left while she was still pregnant and never took responsibility for the child. Sthoko gave birth to her child when she was in grade 12 and she wanted to continue training, but could not due to financial need.
She dropped out of school after the birth of her first child when she was in the 11th grade. She was not employed, but the father of the child supported her and the child. She never returned to school as she was kicked out of her home to live with the father of her children.
She gave birth to her daughter when she was 16 years old and was doing her matric. Both of her children's fathers did not support the children and she was unemployed.
Summary, recommendations and conclusions
Introduction
I was sent to report the pregnancy and look for the one who broke my virginity. Although the fathers were not practically in the parenting, after they were paid damages or given financial support, then they were considered as supporters. Findings revealed that new mothers experienced emotions and feelings towards early motherhood for which they needed support.
They experienced distorted relationships with families and friends associated with motherhood, as well as challenges in raising children. Using a qualitative research method, I determined the importance of motherhood for young women and their experiences in raising children. Although there are limitations to the qualitative approach, its advantage is that it offers space for in-depth information.
The study also benefited from using social constructionism theory to examine young women's early parenting experiences. The theory of social constructionism and qualitative research are linked by a mutual respect for the complexity of human experiences and life stories.
Overall summary
While there is some awareness about this domination, it may not have reached the vast majority who need it most, especially the uneducated and those living in rural areas. Although efforts have been made to change these conceptualizations through literature, research, and policy, changing perceptions and dominant ideologies in the best interests of equality still proves to be a challenge.
Main conclusions: Summary of findings and Recommendations
- Factors leading to participants’ early motherhood
- Parent-child communication about sex
When sexual relations begin in early childhood; it usually continues, and when unprotected first intercourse begins, it carries the risk of early motherhood. Because young people do not have enough information about the risks associated with sexual behavior, peers are an important source of information. Almost all participants indicated that they obtained information about sexuality from their peers at school and in the community.
Although peers may not pressure them to participate in sexual activities, young people do feel pressure to be accepted by their peers.
Positive experience of motherhood
Undesirable consequences of early motherhood
- The burden of care in young motherhood
The study's findings show that peers appear to influence young women's behavior. The participants found it difficult to raise their children with the limited resources they had and constant worries about money, which caused stress and anxiety for the mothers, which related to the second part of the goal, as it concerned economic challenges. Briggs, Brownell & Roos (2007) state that young parents are more likely to come from economically disadvantaged families, as most participants strongly considered finances to be a major concern, highlighting the link between poverty and early motherhood.
The men were not actively involved in the care of their children and most of the participants did not receive practical or material support from the fathers or paternal family. They took on the role of caregiver and also became sole caregivers without support from the children's fathers. Of the 21 participants, almost half (10) were rejected by family when they revealed they were pregnant.
Four participants reported being driven from their home to stay with their relatives or boyfriends' families. Some participants had some support from their children's fathers, often it was random and seen when they asked for help, such as clothes or school fees.
Recommendations
- Policy implications
- Recommendations
There is a need to increase the number of young mothers participating in other pathways such as further education and training (FET) or adult basic education and training (ABET). This means that young women would have to rely on peers for information about using contraceptives or becoming mothers at a young age. Health workers should support young women and ensure that teen-friendly services are open to young people exploring their sexuality, and to young women becoming pregnant.
The discourse on fatherhood in South Africa needs to change from absence to immersion in a child's life, especially when the mother wants the father to be involved. The realization that their input will empower them could motivate them to break the taboo in relation to talking about sexual relations with their children. To raise awareness of pregnancy prevention methods, we must be willing to engage young mothers in discussions with their peers about their own lived experiences.
The positive experiences of young motherhood could give courage and instill hope to young women facing similar circumstances. Young mothers can become mentors to young women who do not have children by sharing the adverse factors of early birth and negative consequences for their livelihood.
Conclusion
The willingness to engage in protected sex and use contraceptives is important for men to understand. This involves financial support and practice-oriented parenting, which is not intended to help the mother, but also to take care of their own children as parents.
Population Council, Policy working Division Working Paper No. Pregnancy-related school dropout and pre-school achievement in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Adolescent school experiences and dropout, adolescent pregnancy and young adult deviant behaviour, Journal of Adolescent Research Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood in South Africa. Perceptions and experiences of motherhood: a study of black and white mothers in Durban, South Africa.
Forced first sexual intercourse and selected reproductive health outcomes among young women in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. 2013) 'So we are ATM fathers': a study of absent fathers in Johannesburg, South Africa; Johannesburg Center for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg. Morrell (Eds.), Baby: Men and Fatherhood in South Africa Cape Town: South Africa: RGN Press.
Undisclosed paternal identity in narratives of distress among youth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Determinants of adherence to a single-dose nevirapine regimen to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Gert Sibande District, South Africa. South African Labor and Development Research Unit Working Paper No. Masculinities and public policy in South Africa: Changing masculinities and working towards gender equality.
Myths about social benefits and 'lazy' young mothers. 2012) Characteristics, sexual behavior and risk factors of female, male and transgender sex workers in South Africa; South African Medical Journal, Volume 103, No:.
Interview Schedule (In English and isiZulu)
Yintoni eyenza kube lula/kunzima ukuba ngumzali kumntwana/abantwana bakho. yintoni eyenza ukuba ngumzali kumntwana wakho kube nzima okanye kube lula).
Copy of Informed Consent form (English and Isizulu)
If you have any questions please contact me or my supervisor or UKZN Humanities &. On ……….I was told about the study entitled "experiences of young girls in parenting their children" by Mrs. Sibonelo Mavundla. I also understand that the study aims to understand what drives young women to become pregnant while still in school.
I was given the opportunity to ask questions about the survey and all questions were answered to my satisfaction. I declare that I was not pressured to participate in this study and that I can stop or withdraw at any time without affecting any of the benefits I normally receive.
Incwadi ulwazi nesivulwane sokuba nxenye yocwaningo
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