Factors that Influence Latina Adolescents’

Decision toward MotherhoodA Qualitative Study

Student NameSS193C, Spring 2005

Teen Parenthood in the U.S.

The U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate of any other industrialized country (Berger, 2001).

52-80% of pregnant teenagers keep their babies instead of having an abortion or placing the baby for adoption (Ravoira & Cherry, 1992).

Latino youth ages 15-19 had the highest rate of parenthood by the end of the 20th century (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2001).

Teen birthrate by Race/Ethnicity(births per 1,000 females ages 15-19)Source: Data from Child Trends, 1977

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1980

1986

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

Year

Bir

th R

ate

Latinas

AfricanAmericans

Whites

Ethnic Minoritiesare especially vulnerable to:

Racial discrimination Poverty Single-parent households Low academic achievement

Latina mothers “tend to have lower earning capacity to begin with, have more children to support, and are substantially less likely to receive child support from the child’s father” (Lloyd, 2000).

Problems Biological: premature birth, infant mortality,

low birth weight, developmental disabilities, & malnutrition

Educational: reduced academic achievement & school failure

Employment: limited opportunities

Financial: dependency increases for both the teen & her family, leading to family instability and an intergenerational trend of poverty

Purpose of the Study

To explore the background, psychological, and social factors that influence pregnant Latina adolescents’ decision to bear and raise the child

Literature Review: Background Demographics SES:

Unskilled labor & low wage employment in Latino communities Single-parent households Low opportunity costs Purpose, responsibility, & direction

Education: Parental education Abortion and adoption

Age: Inexperience

Family support No alternative

Literature Review:Psychological Personal attitudes:

Take responsibility Do not want to go through

pregnancy & childbirth only to give the baby up for adoption

Latinas are least likely to consider abortion (Lloyd, 2000)

Self perception: aspirations & perceived opportunities In Latino culture, “great

significance is attached to motherhood & the birth of a child…[it] confers adult status on a woman.” (Cooksey, 1990)

Power, self-worth, and identity

Literature Review:Social

Family: Role model Parental advice &

restrictions Expected extent of support Emotional poverty (Ravoira &

Cherry, 1992)

Family values Familismo Marianismo

Boyfriend/baby’s father: Support Level of intimacy

Peer influences: Direct communication of

attitudes Indirect influence and

modeling

Research Questions

1. What factors influence a pregnant Latina youth’s decision-making process when she is considering the outcome of her pregnancy?

2. Why would a Latina teen decide to parent her unexpected child instead of aborting or placing it?

3. What are the unique issues Latina adolescents must consider in their pregnancy resolution decision?

Methodology

Design: qualitative, ethnographic study

Data collection: participant observation, secondary data analysis, informal interviews, formal interviews, case studies, narratives

Data analysis: coding & enumeration, themes & patterns, triangulation, peer review, verification by participants

Methodology:Site

Group home for pregnant minors in crisis situations

Values life & abstinence Educational programming Therapy & couples counseling Independent living skills Medical services

Methodology:Participants

Convenient sample Currently 17 residents 6 case studies of Latino background At least one child per case 2 are 18 yrs. old, 1 is 17 yrs. old, 3 are 16 yrs. old Most have been placed by social services (foster

homes, abuse, homeless, etc.) All except the 2 oldest residents are in the process of

getting high school diploma

Participant Observation Timeline

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

NA

TA

SA

MI

LA

VI

Sample Interview Questions Why do you think the residents decide to keep

their babies instead of aborting it or placing it for adoption?

How did she do/is she doing in school? Where did she live before she came here? With

who? What did your mom or dad say when you told

them that you were pregnant? Did you tell your boyfriend/the father of the baby

that you were pregnant? How did he react?

Data Analysis:Validity

Triangulation

Review by researchers

Interviews

•Formal•Informal•Narratives•Participant verification

Participant Observation

Secondary Data Analysis

Data Analysis:Coding & Enumeration

Codes Participants

NA TA SA MI LA VIFOST GMOM BMOM XMOM GDAD BDAD XDAD FFIG POSBF NEGBF FUTR

Findings:Background Demographics Socioeconomic Status:

Low SES 5 out of 6 raised by single

mother At least 4 out of 6 from poor

ethnic communities

Education: Limited English proficiency 5 out of 6: Spanish as first

language 5 out of 6 are fluent in Spanish Basic level

“…I never knew what might happen when I went home, you know? Were we gonna get evicted, were we gonna be able to pay the bills, was there gonna be electricity?”

“She’s been doing better [in school]. It has been hard for [MI]; she speaks more Spanish than English.”

Findings:Psychological Values:

Low levels of acculturation Extreme emphasis on marianismo:

half have had multiple pregnancies and/or births

Patriarchy

Perceived opportunities: None plan to seek higher education 2 started working immediately after

high school 3 desire to work as soon as possible Low wage, low prestige jobs

“Well it’s not like she’s gonna abort it, or put it up for adoption!”

“Latino men like meat.” -on what beauty means

“I need a job, and soon too. Any job, as long as I get paid. I don’t care, it can be Burger King!”

Findings:Social Romantic relations:

5 out of 6 still dating baby’s father 3 teen fathers (of the 4 remaining

residents) visit 4 out of 6 have future plans Unstable

Family: 5 out of 6 from untraditional households Half are emotionally unsupported 4 out of 6 have no material support Only 2 consider moving in with family

“They’re in love and everything, and talking about getting married. But they’re not allowed to see each other or talk on the phone.”

“He still sees [the other girl] sometimes. They hang out…It’s like he doesn’t even care about my feelings.”

“I can’t leave [my children] with my mom, she’s living with her friend right now so she can’t watch them.”

Findings Model:Factors that Influence Latina Teens to Become Mothers

LATINA TEEN MOTHERHOOD

Social

Psychological

Background

Variables

Family Romantic Relations

Cultural Values

Perceived Opportunities

SESEducatio

n

Single parent

household

Acculturation

Summary of Findings Low SES

Adherence to cultural values

Limited ambitions

Maintain unsupportive & emotionally abusive romantic relationships

Untraditional and unsupportive family

Desire for:

Love

Family

Purpose

Adult role

Latina Teen Motherhood

Implications Further research:

Study young Latinas not involved with social services agencies

Effects of recent immigration vs. acculturation Family dynamics in Latino communities

Recommendations for practice: Culture-sensitive & situation-sensitive training for staff Educate residents about all options of pregnancy Preventative & health education More developed educational & occupational programs

Acknowledgements

Dr. Castellanos Mary Kerr, Mary’s Shelter Program

Director

Sandy Ta, Mary’s Shelter Program Coordinator

Denise Peters, Mary’s Shelter House Manager

The Class