Pregnancy among Urban African-American Teens: Ambivalence about Prevention

Abstract

The beliefs and influences that predispose African Americans to early pregnancy were investigated through focus group discussions with 37 nonparenting Black females 14-17 years old who were recruited from an urban hospital outpatient clinic. Of particular interest were the extent to which participants felt having a baby is problematic for a teenager expectations for the impact of pregnancy on ones social interactions and perceptions of contraceptive use. Participants believed that childbearing should be postponed until after the teenage years when there is greater emotional and financial stability. Child care was viewed as labor-intensive and disruptive of an adolescents freedom and ability to enjoy the teenage years. Nonetheless participants stated that teens who do become pregnant can negotiate this challenge successfully without needing to drop out of school or abandon other life plans. They did not express concerns about loss of peer acceptance after a pregnancy. In fact some participants noted that pregnancy can result in personal and social benefits such as helping a girl to get her life together or keeping a boyfriend. Although participants agreed it is important to be protected during sex they voiced serious concerns about the safety side effects and effectiveness of available contraceptive methods. Overall the discussions suggested considerable ambivalence about preventing teen pregnancy and childbearing. This finding is of concern since teens who have ambivalent feelings about pregnancy may not be motivated to use contraception consistently.