Teenage Motherhood: Challenges and Solutions in a Digital Environment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the social and psychological implications of teenage motherhood in selected areas of Lagos State and explore the importance of technology in alleviating the myriads of challenges faced by teenage mothers. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether or not teenage mothers experience psychological distress during pregnancy and nursing, and to explore the nature of such distress. Twenty five (25) teenage mothers were conveniently sampled to participate in the study. Their ages ranged from 13 to 20 years, with the nursing period ranging from 3 months to 5 years. The sample included teenage mothers from uneducated, high schools and tertiary institutions in Ajeromi-Ifelodun (Ajegunle) and Ojo (Oto/Ijanikin) Local Government Areas of Lagos State. Data was collected using qualitative method which involved three focus group interviews conducted with the participants. The first group was not exposed to digital services, the second group was partially exposed to technology while the third group was well exposed to the social media/digital services and was able to access social, economic, emotional and psychological supports. The results showed psychological trauma during pregnancy and nursing periods for most of them. They were also found to experience anxiety, fear, social isolation and frustration as they tried to cope with the demands of motherhood. The study further discovered that teen mothers struggled with disbelief of being pregnant and the reality of being a mother and this psychological frame of mind causes depression that more often than not result in attempted suicide. Based on the findings, it was discovered that participants without exposure to digital services experienced serious psychological trauma, shame, hopelessness and rejection compared to participants with minimal and full exposure to digital services wherein they were able to access social, economic and emotional help. The findings agree with previous researches that teenage motherhood comes with a lot of social, psychological and emotional trauma such as depression, insomnia, diminishing self-esteem, abortion and ultimately attempted suicide. The study, therefore, recommends that more sex and reproductive education must be encouraged in both primary and secondary levels of education. Government and Non-governmental Organizations must partner with welfare groups to provide necessary socio-economic supports for the teenage mother such that will guarantee her re-entry and continuation of her education.