CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Teenage pregnancy is a social problem affecting developed countries such as the United States and underdeveloped countries such as Cameroon and this has been a source of worry for policy makers, social workers and educators (Gyan, 2013). Egbe, Omeichu, Halle-Ekane, Tchente, Ebge and Oury (2015) reported that about 12% of all births in Cameroon are from teenage mothers which has resulted to school dropout, juvenile violence, suicide and sometimes homicide. Egbe et al. (2015) also indicated that Cameroon has one of the highest fertility rate in West and Central Africa with 22.7% of teenage mothers under 20 years. It is therefore vital to evaluate the effects of teenage pregnancy on the education of girls.

This study is presented in five chapters with the first chapter providing mainly, a background to the study, problem statement and indicating the objectives of the study. The second chapter reviews literature while the third chapter discusses the methods used in the study. Chapter four discusses empirical findings and the work concludes with chapter five that provides a discussion of the findings and recommendations.

1.1 Background to the study

Globally there has been a growing concern about the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy and the consequences that this poses for parents, children and society as a whole. Teenage pregnancy emerged from social invisibility, lower educational levels and poverty involving young girls between the ages of 13 to 19 and was far normal in the previous century and common in developed countries during the 20th century (Hern 2015). Devernish and Greathead (1992), viewed teenage pregnancy as catastrophe of an individual, her family and society. Globally as of 2011, the number of teenage pregnancy in the world was 1.2 b 14 billion for adolescents aged 14 to 19 years and more than 90% of these births are occurring in developing countries (UNICEF,2011).

Mensch et al (2001) reported that in Africa, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa there are concerns about high rates of teenage pregnancy related to school drop outs and also leading to gender disparities in education in developing countries. Gyepi-Garbrah (1985) has explained that the plight of pregnant school girls in Africa is particularly wrenching, as they must either commit an abortion in order to continue with their education or drop out of school either on their own violation or on pan of threatened official expulsion. When girls drop out of school because of pregnancy their future socio-economic prospects are significantly reduced.

According to Keller, Hilton and Twumasi-Ankrah (1999) third world countries have been confronted by this social problem of teenage pregnancy. However, teenage pregnancy has been linked to poverty and its subsequent motherhood, it has been viewed as a cause as well as an effect of teenage pregnancy. It has therefore been observed that in rural communities, family financial status and social customs causes girls to stay out of school and engage into sexual relationships which lead to early pregnancy.

Barber and East (2004) reported that teenage pregnancy occur among teen girls, developmental tasks of adolescents such as completion of education and the demands and responsibility of parenting. Teenage pregnancy therefore has a negative impact on the educational attainment of girls like unreliable childcare, family conflict and inconsistent support. Pregnant teen girls who face conflicts from their expected roles as mothers and usually have a resentment towards their education and parenting.

Yampolskaya, Brown and Greenbaum (2002) also stated that teenage pregnancy is one of the social ills that affect society and making the development of the girl-child difficult. This is due to the girl’s age and the absence of consistent means of support to care for the children and themselves when they should have been attaining their education. Teenage pregnancy is therefore associated with school dropout and may end of girls’ dreams of achieving their educational aspirations.

Cunningham and Boult (1996) asserted that teenage pregnancy has a lot of social consequences which include, child neglect, school adjustment difficulties for their children, lack of social security, school drop-out and negative effects on domestic life.

According to the World Health Organization, teenage mothers are at risks of physical, mental and social conditions which are likely to result to unsafe abortions with many health problems associated with negative outcomes including HIV, STDs, and mental problems such as depression. Also pregnant teenagers develop obstetric fistula which has a lot of effects for the lives of girls.

According to Foumane et al (2013), Cameroon adolescents engage themselves in in unprotected sexual practice and having more than one partner at very tender ages. Existing data on Cameroon indicated that adolescents represent 21% of the total population and contributed 13.8% of deliveries. P.M. Tebeu et al (2004-2006) revealed that adolescent contribution to deliveries is 6.69% at the University Teaching Hospital in Yaounde and 26.54% in Maroua Regional Hospital in the Far North Region. These findings suggest a disparity in the geographic distribution of adolescent deliveries in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Teenage pregnancy has a direct implication on girls which has widened the gender gap between boys and girls in the domain of education. Girls drop out of school can be associated to diverse reasons such as poverty, child labor and teenage pregnancy. Therefore the non-completion of education limits teen girls from earning up their potentials. Thus the study seeks to examine these effects from a student dominant population such as Buea in order to ascertain the effects of teenage pregnancy on the education of girls.

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1 General Objective.

The main objective of the study is to examine the effects of teenage pregnancy on the education of girls in Cameroon.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives.

The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To identify the demographic characteristics of respondents
2. To identify the causes of teenage pregnancy among young girls.
3. To examine the effects of teenage pregnancy on girls’ education.
4. To determine the support mechanisms for teenagers and teen mothers.
5. To examine the measures put in place to address teenage pregnancy.

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