Abstract:
The objective of this study was to examine the experiences of teenage mothers with unwanted pregnancies, in the context of gender-power relations within the patriarchal capitalist system, using a socialist feminist perspective. Qualitative research methods were used with 10 teenage mothers who cared for their own child. The findings were 1. The unwanted pregnancy was caused by sexual intercourse with a boyfriend or restaurant customer who deceived or co-erced the teenager into having sex. The man gave a promise and used romance to get sexual benefits. And if the girl did not allow sex, the man used his strength to subdue and rape her. Then, the girl became pregnant because they did not use birth control or the birth control failed. Both the man and woman believed that birth control is the responsibility of the women. 2. The decision stage led to the unwanted pregnancy. The young women felt pressure to choose between abortion or continued pregnancy and finally to giving birth. Most of all pregnant teens choose to abort by themselves by traditional oral medicines, and some search for an illegal abortion service but could not find one or were to late in their pregnancy. So they must continue with their unwanted pregnancy and be unemployed, kicked out of school, and be socially stigmatized by teachers and others. They suffered and felt bad, such as feeling shy, sad, guilty, and wanted to die, etc. 3. After giving birth and caring for their children, they had no freedom in life because they were mainly responsible for care of the child. They suffered and felt tired from caring for their child and doing all the housework, and they could not go to school or work. So, the teen moms lacked power to negotiate anything in the household and had to depend on their husband because they had no a paid work, and did not have money or economic power. It is recommended that teenage mothers with unwanted pregnancies and husbands must be educated to realize about caring for their child and housework. Those jobs are the responsibility of both the man and woman. Society may change its prejudice towards teenage mothers with unwanted pregnancies, and allow them their reproductive right to freely choose for themselves to have an abortion or to continue their pregnancy. The state policies should also provide welfare and support for them such as daycare for working mothers and formula milk or monetary support in the case of poor.