Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Motherhood is a meaningful life event for every woman.

However, the experience is different for a teenager who becomes a

mother in the middle of the schooling process. Teenage people facing

early motherhood may subject to conflict between being a mother and

adolescent needs. A woman can experience vulnerability and extreme

challenges when transitioning to motherhood (Mangeli, Tirgari, Cheraghi,

and Rayyani, 2018). The transition to motherhood is worse for young

mothers and can experience an increase of responsibility. The situation of

being a teenage mother could affect their own family and their relationship

to the community (Herrman and Nandakumar, 2012), because they were

not prepared to become a mother (Aparicio, Pecukonis and O'Neale,

2015), and must endure the role of a mother and the developmental task

of adolescence simultaneously (Riva Crugnola, Ierardi, Gazzotti and

Albizzati, 2014).

Despite some recent progress, the Philippines remains one of

the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Asia. It ranks

second in Southeast Asia, with over 500 girls aged 15 to 19 becoming

mothers each day (Dela Pena, 2023; Save the Children Philippines,

2024a).
Even more concerning is the increasing number of pregnancies among

girls under 15. Live births in the 10 to 14 age group rose from 2,411 in

2019 to 3,343 in 2023, marking a 6.6% increase in just four years. In 2023

alone, 17 young women under 20 had already given birth five or more

times, and 38 girls under 15 experienced repeated pregnancies (Aning,

2025). The youngest recorded case involved a girl who became pregnant

at just 8 years old and gave birth when she was 9 (Moaje, 2025).

Social development is vital to all teenagers. Being in the early

stage of motherhood, they can experience a lack of sufficient education

and poverty, which results in single parenthood (Salvador, Sauce,

Alvarez, and Rosario, 2016). Teen mothers experience different physical,

psychological, social, and spiritual challenges, including the inability to

plan and decide and lack maternal skills. Taukeni (2014) argues that

students in this situation might skip lectures, feel weak, exhausted, and

lack consideration in classes. The difficulties of having a dual role can

cause the women to leave one position for the sake of the other (Springer,

Parker, and LevitenReid, 2008).

There are foreign studies regarding teenage pregnancy, and

adolescent mothers' lived experiences. However, only a few available

research focused on a Filipino teenage mother enrolled explicitly in a

barrio high school. Understanding the lived experience of a teenage

mother enrolled in a barrio high school can generate new insights for the
health care providers and policymakers that can cause a proper response

to the challenges of teenage mothers.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to provide invaluable insights

and knowledge that can contribute to the field of social work by

strengthening prevention efforts. In addition, by understanding teenage

mothers unique experiences and needs, social workers can develop

effective programs and services to help address their challenges. Finally,

the younger generation may get a significant takeaway from the study

about the experiences and consequences of early parenthood.

Statement of the Problem

This study sought to understand the lived experiences of

teenage mothers in Barangay Malaya, Banga, South Cotabato, aiming to

capture their unique challenges, coping mechanisms, and support

systems within their specific community context.

Research Questions

To fulfill the general objective of exploring the lived

experiences and struggles of teenage mothers in Barangay Malaya, this

questions.

1. What are the lived experiences of teenage mothers in Barangay

Malaya, Banga, South Cotabato?

2. What challenges do they encounter in balancing early motherhood with

their personal, social, and educational responsibilities?

3. What coping strategies and support systems do teenage mothers rely

on within their families, school, and community?

Theoritical Lens

This study is guided by Albert Bandura’s Social Learning

Theory, which explains that individuals learn behaviors through

observation and imitation. In the context of teenage pregnancy,

adolescents may adopt behaviors from peers, family, or media that

normalize early sexual activity. This theory helps the study understand

how social influences and learned behaviors contribute to teenage

pregnancy and shape adolescents’ choices and experiences.

Scope & Limitations

This study focuses on teenage pregnancy, particularly on

the lived experiences of teenage mothers aged 13–19 in Barangay

their responsibilities as young mothers, the coping strategies they use,

and the support systems available to them from their families, schools,

and community. The study is limited to a small number of participants

from one location and does not include teenage fathers, adult mothers, or

adolescents who have not experienced pregnancy. As a qualitative study,

the findings cannot be generalized to other populations and are

dependent on the honesty and openness of the participants during the

interview process.

Significance of the Study

Studying the lived experiences of teenage mothers is

significant because it provides insight into the unique psychological,

social, and emotional challenges they face, informing the development of

targeted support programs, policies, and educational materials. This

research helps to understand how factors like lack of support, stigma, and

limited opportunities affect their well-being and future, and also highlights

their resilience, coping mechanisms, and potential for personal growth.

Ultimately, it contributes to creating more effective interventions for both

the mothers and their children, improving health outcomes, and

preventing future teen pregnancies.

teenage mothers, showcasing their capacity for personal growth and

determination to build a better future for their children.

By understanding their experiences, especially regarding

mental health struggles like depression and anxiety, interventions can be

developed to provide essential psychological support alongside medical

care. This can help mitigate health risks for both the mother and the baby.

Organization of the Study

This study is organized under Chapter 1, which includes

several sections. The Background of the Study explains the context and

relevance of teenage pregnancy. The Purpose of the Study outlines the

goals of the research. The Statement of the Problem identifies the issues

the study addresses, while the Research Questions guide the

investigation. The Theoretical Lens presents Bandura’s Social Learning

Theory as the framework. Finally, the Scope and Limitations define the

boundaries of the study, and the Significance of the Study highlights its

contributions to teenagers, families, educators, and policymakers.