Factors that Influence Latina Adolescents’ Decision toward Motherhood

1. Factors that Influence Latina Adolescents’ Decision toward Motherhood A Qualitative Study Student Name SS193C, Spring 2005

2. 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).

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

4. Ethnic Minorities are 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).

5. 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

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

7. SES: Unskilled labor & low wage employment in Latino communities Single-parent households Low opportunity costs Purpose, responsibility, & direction Education: Parental education Abortion and adoption Literature Review: Background Demographics • Age: • Inexperience • Family support • No alternative

8. 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:Psychological

9. 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 Literature Review:Social • Peer influences: • Direct communication of attitudes • Indirect influence and modeling

10. Research Questions • What factors influence a pregnant Latina youth’s decision-making process when she is considering the outcome of her pregnancy? • Why would a Latina teen decide to parent her unexpected child instead of aborting or placing it? • What are the unique issues Latina adolescents must consider in their pregnancy resolution decision?

11. 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

12. Methodology:Site • Group home for pregnant minors in crisis situations • Values life & abstinence • Educational programming • Therapy & couples counseling • Independent living skills • Medical services

13. 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

14. Participant Observation Timeline Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May NA TA SA MI LA VI

15. 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?

16. Triangulation Review by researchers Data Analysis:Validity • Interviews • Formal • Informal • Narratives • Participant verification Secondary Data Analysis Participant Observation

17. Data Analysis:Coding & Enumeration Codes Participants NA TA SA MI LA VI FOST GMOM BMOM XMOM GDAD BDAD XDAD FFIG POSBF NEGBF FUTR

18. 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.”

19. Findings:Psychological • Values: • Low levels of acculturation • Extreme emphasis on marianismo: half have had multiple pregnancies and/or births • Patriarchy • Perceived opportunities: • None planto 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!”

20. 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.”

21. Background Variables SES Education Psychological LATINA TEEN MOTHERHOOD Cultural Values Perceived Opportunities Social Family Romantic Relations Findings Model:Factors that Influence Latina Teens to Become Mothers Acculturation Single parent household

22. Summary of Findings • Low SES • Adherence to cultural values • Limited ambitions • Maintain unsupportive & emotionally abusive romantic relationships • Untraditional and unsupportive family Latina Teen Motherhood Desire for: Love Family Purpose Adult role

23. 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

24. 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