Predisposing factors and consequences of childbearing among young unmarried women in North West, South Africa

Abstract

This study aims at describing the predisposing factors and consequences of pregnancy in young girls. The main research questions addressed are why young and unmarried women bear children? And what are the consequences of having a child at an early age? A qualitative study on young mothers was conducted in the North West province of South Africa. The results revealed that pregnancy for most of the participants was unintentional and happened due to ignorance. Other predisposing factors include external pressure, wrong or sporadic use of contraception and rape. Most participants had a strong negative attitude towards induced abortion. The study provides four recommendations: revisit the life orientation programme in schools and make it more efficient in delivering sexuality education; young unmarried women should be motivated to use contraception properly if they are sexually active; advocacy is needed on use of abortion services as an option; and measures should be put in place so as to improve parent-daughter communication on sexual matters.