The Effects of Teenage Pregnancy on the Academic Performance

of the Selected Learners at Secondary Level

In Santa Cruz Institute

S.Y.2022-2023

Denise Rae V. Real

BSE- IV SOCIAL STUDIES

The Problem and It's Background

I. Introduction

The Philippines teenage pregnancy rate has increased by 60% in the year 2000- 2010, according
to the Philippine National Statistics Office. This is very alarming. Teenage pregnancy often
occurs between the ages of 15-19 years old, often in this age the girls are still studying.Teenage
pregnancy has become a global problem .Most countries in the world are going through this
problem with questions on how they can control and prevent this teenage pregnancy from
continuing .This problem is being faced by developing and developed country. On the other side
there is a problem of gender equality where females are fighting for their rights of having equal
chances of job opportunities and representations as male gender while teenage pregnancy is a
block to majority of young teenagers who are becoming pregnant at primary level and
secondary level which kill their dream of filling the gaps that they are seeing vacant and wishing
to represent ladies in international levels and national levels but because of teenage pregnancy
which affect their performance in schools is the major hindrance to the educational success of
girls in Santa Cruz Institute.

With early pregnancy the girls usually have to abandon their education to give birth or raise
their child. Girls who become pregnant are expelled from school especially in a Catholic School
because it goes against the moral teachings of the school thus delaying the chance of earning a
degree that will help them in providing for their child. Education becomes a lesser priority and
is often delayed until they are able to leave the children at home are financially stable. But
there are girls who are studying as well as taking care of their child and they are who we call
Student Mothers. The burdens for these girls have double as to they have to take care of school
as well as their child at home.The life of a Student Mother is no easy feat they have to juggle
their time between attending their classes, making their requirements, taking care of their child
and taking care of the house. They become the primary caregiver of their child and are
expected to rear their child well. Many of these student mothers also engage in working part-
time to help in the financial burdens of both studying and caring for the child. But, this becomes
another disadvantage as it takes up time and effort on the part of the Student Mother.

The issue of teen pregnancy in the Philippines has led to forced marriage of many
Philippine teens, and according to the 2015 Census data, the Philippines now ranks 13th among
countries with the largest population in the world. Today, we are faced with the painful reality
that at a very young age, most Philippine teens already have children of their own. A recent
study shows that over 200,000 Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 19 years old get pregnant
each year, and over 500 teenage girls give birth in the country every day.According to experts,
teenage mothers are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes and to be
constrained in their ability to pursue educational opportunities.

The issue of adolescent fertility is essential for both health and social reasons because children
born to very young mothers are at increased risk of sickness and death. Teenage pregnancy is
also one of the reasons for the high rate of school dropout for adolescent girls, as well as family
matters.While it is possible for a pregnant teenager in the Philippines to experience a healthy
pregnancy and also become an excellent parent, many pregnant and parenting teenagers
struggle with health risks, multiple stressors, and other complex issues. If pregnancy is
unplanned, the mother may not receive the prenatal care she and her baby needs, or she may
not even be healthy enough to carry a child. In the Philippines, children born to teenage
mothers are more likely to die compared to children of older mothers, and this is because
Filipino teen mothers aged 15-19 average 17 months between previous pregnancies compared
to the recommended 35 months for mothers of all ages. Teenage mothers have a high
percentage of dropping out of school because of their low ambitions and dedication to their
children. It is no wonder that only 38% of female teens who give birth before the age of 18
complete their high school education by the age of 22. This means that a very high percentage
of teenage mothers will not even go on to graduate from high school, let alone get a college
education. This lack of education most times leads to low paying jobs or, even worse,
unemployment. These young women often end up living on welfare and do not have adequate
resources for their children. Overall, these young girls are forced to delay and postpone any
plans for their future to raise a child.Teenage mothers are often reliant on their families for
financial resources as well as other forms of support to help get them through raising a child on
their own. In most cases, these young mothers are overlooked and do not receive any form of
financial aid or education on how to cater for a child.

Having a child during the teenage age often clashes with the developmental tasks that
should be occurring during adolescence. These young mothers are unable to fully develop a
sense of self-identity due to their new role as teenage mothers. Furthermore, adolescent age
that is essential for developing relationships with others and discovering oneself are strained or
even terminated. Many of these teenage mothers are not healthy enough; thus, they have a
higher risk for obstructed labor, thereby contributing to the number of unsafe abortions in the
Philippines, which most times lead to the death of many young females and their unborn child.

However, teenage pregnancy is still a challenge to ministry of education (MOE) and society on
how it can be stopped and whether introduction of sex education will reduce the teenage
pregnancy or increase the sex ideas on the youths mind. This study is looking at the impact of
early pregnancy on the school performance at the end of the term and school.

II. Theoretical framework

The theoretical frame of this research draws particularly on Rational Emotive Behavior
Therapy(REBT) which was developed by Albert Ellis (1913 - 2007) early in 1955 (Corey 2009: 273
-275). This theory is based on the assumption that cognitions, emotions and behaviors interact
significantly and have a reciprocal cause and effect relationship. Ellis contends that, human
beings are born with both rational (straight thinking) and irrational (crooked thinking). Since
this study is aimed at finding the perception of educators about the effect of teenage
pregnancy. The research will be able to detect various ways of thinking on the side of educators
concerning the research problem.

A-B-C frame work which is central to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) theory and
practice is closely related to this study because it will provide a useful tool for understanding
the educator’s feelings, thoughts, and their views concerning the effects of teenage pregnancy
with regard to this model of the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) theory. “A” is the
existence of fact, an activating event. In this study, it elucidates the existence of fact or
activating event which is “teenage pregnancy”. “B” is the behavior or an attitude of an
individual or the person’s belief about ‘A’. The behavior of a pregnant teenager which usually
triggers undesirable consequences such as dropping out of school, poor academic performance,
might to some extent be the result of their attitude towards the incident of being a victim of
teenage pregnancy. “C” denotes the emotional consequences which is largely caused by “B”
(the person’s belief about “A”) (Corey, 2009: 278). If a girl learner at secondary school
experiences depression as an emotional behavior after falling pregnant (which is one of the
consequences or effects of teenage pregnancy). It may not be pregnancy it’s self that cause the
depressive reaction, but her beliefs about being a failure and having lost her reputation and
identify as young person by being a mother —to-be before appointed time.

III. Statement of the Problem

1. What are the effects of teenage pregnancy to the learners?

3.1 Hypothesis

H1.There is no significant difference between peer group influence and teenage pregnancy.
H2. There is no significant difference between close relationship with parents and teenage
pregnancy.

H3. There is no significant difference between knowledge sex education (either in school or at
home) and teenage pregnancy

H4.There is no significant difference between parental back ground and teenage pregnancy.

IV. Significance of the Study

This result of this study will be beneficial to the following beneficiaries.

To the students, it will give them information about the cause and possible effects of teenage
pregnancy to their studies once they got pregnant. In on way or in another this paper will guide
them to focus their attention to their studies rather than giving priority to their romantic affairs
with boyfriends.

To the teachers, they could be informed how important is education to the development of
children to manhood. This enables them to guide and identify the major causes of teenage
pregnancy especially in Santa Cruz Institute.

To the parents, to enable them to realize their great role in educating their teenagers,
protecting and diverting them from indulging early sex especially if without marriage. They
must be aware too of what kind of peers their teenagers have. This study will make parents
aware that education about the use of contraceptives will start also at home.

To the out-of-school youth, to be aware or not getting pregnant at teens for the big chance at
them to go back school or be enrolled in ALS (Alternative Learning System) for the none high
school graduate.

To the school administrators, it would provide them information of the importance of knowing
the major factors behind every pregnancy and the possible effects on educational development
of teenagers. It is the way that administrators will intensify sex education on their school,
improve the knowledge of their faculties or teachers through seminars so that they can deal
well with students to avoid pregnancy at early age.

To the researchers, hope that the result of this study would also be a great help to future
researchers and to all people who are interested to know more about teenage pregnancy on
their causes and the possible effects on their educational development.

V. Scope and Delimitation

The researcher will conduct this study within school of Santa Cruz Institute Marinduque
Incorporated, Barangay Banahaw Santa Cruz Marinduque and the selected students are the
respondents of this study. This study focused in gathering data through conducting survey
questionaires and will be conducted during the first semester of school year 2022-2023.

VI. Definition of Terms

Pregnancy- the state of being pregnant.

Teenager- A person who is between 13 and 19 years old.

Effect of teenage pregnancy- means a result brought about by premarital sex at the age of 13
to 19 years old in relation to her educational development.

Academic performance- refers to achievement in standardized tests or examinations shown by

Secondary school- Is a school which provides secondary education after primary school
education.