Lived experiences of single teenage mothers at KwaMsane Township, KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2024
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University of Zululand
Abstract
In an era marked by the complex challenges confronting young people, addressing
teenage pregnancy requires a comprehensive multi-sectoral response that empowers and supports adolescents on multiple fronts. The qualitative study’s objectives were to explore the psychosocial experiences of single teenage mothers from northern KwaZulu-Natal, seeking to understand their experience of absent fathers in the parental relationship, identify sources of support, and provide recommendations for multiple sectors. Thirteen participants, sampled by snowball sampling, participated in face-to-face interviews, and two focus group discussions that were manually coded and thematically analysed. Empowerment theory was used as an analytic framework. The study’s findings revealed that single teenage mothers experience psychosocial challenges, social rejection, disrupted life plans, academic difficulties, financial problems, father absenteeism, and poor mental health. This highlights several key areas which need multi-sectoral interventions to address teenage pregnancy. Recommendations include developing participatory strategies that promote positive father involvement, establishing support systems for psychosocial support for teenage mothers, and fostering whole community-based initiatives to promote awareness and dialogue on teenage pregnancy.
Description
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2024].