Teen ager's pregnacy and maternity in Bogota and some some cities around. Consequences at school, marital status, family structure, occupation and a life project

Abstract

Research on the socioeconomic consequences of teenagers bearing is undertaken. Adolescent pregnancy constitutes a life event with important consequences on some women’s dimensions: schooling, family structure, occupation, life project and marital status. Due such situation, it is important to investigate about its social and economic consequences, as well as to verify its possible inheriting behavior. A cross-sectional retrospective study on 20 adolescent mothers, as inclusion criteria for the sample, was done because of that. The PAHO defines them as those who gave birth before 20. Results: The results obtained show that in Bogotá and Chia (neighbor county) some of the consequences of teen pregnancy are: high school dropout (53%); nuclear and mono parental woman headed households; low effects on occupational change and life project; and it triggers, though weakly, to marital unions, both legal or religious. The “hereditary” character of adolescent motherhood was observed, for 75% of the mothers of these women were teen mothers. Also 50% of their sisters are teen mothers. Policy makers are recommended to carry out policies to alleviate adverse consequences.