1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
The birth of a child is an event that creates joy, celebration, and astonishment. The celebration comes easily and naturally and it is not easy to resist the happiness that comes within us when we are near a new born. (Cherry, Dillon & Righ 2001, 2.) However teenage pregnancy can affect these celebrations and therefore it is important to understand teenage pregnancy experiences and children born by teenagers.(Op. cit. p. 2.) During teenage phase an individual acquires skills and attributes necessary to become a productive and reproductive adult. Nearly all cultures recognise this phase in life when society acknowledges these emerging capacities of young people. The passage from childhood to adulthood can either be direct or short passage or a prolonged teenage phase marked by identities choices and roles which determine the contents of a particular culture .(Barker 2007, 1.)
Teenagers have to learn how to relate to the social world, develop social skills that attract friends, romance, employment and social responsibilities within many social spheres. The teenagers have to acquire a stable sense of identity and develop autonomy or agency. Search for identity is usually after many trial and errors in their social roles and social behaviours. However, many fail to become healthy adults and productive citizens due to the challenges encountered. They become victims of social and behavioural morbidities and mortality hence failing to achieve full potential as workers, parents and individuals. Some become short time victims while others extend into adulthood. The failures of teenagers development is as a result of preventable health risk behaviours .(Op. cit. p 4.) The aim was to get important information that can be used by partners and stakeholders who have a role in reducing teenage pregnancy.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
According to DiClemente, Santelli & Richard (2009, 4), teenagers experience physical, psychological, socio-cultural, and cognitive development. Growth and maturation of body systems such as the reproductive organs and brain lays the foundation for other body development. Cognitive abilities mature due to the changes in brain in the early stages. Combination of new cognitive abilities with life experiences result to social judgement which includes risk and safety. Teenagers' relationships with the world are also transformed where social lifestyles, peer pressure, adults work life, and social responsibilities become more important while the family circles are temporarily less important. The purpose of this study was to find out teenagers' views concerning the causes and prevention of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the study
The main aim of this study was to find out teenagers' views concerning the causes of and prevention of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria.
Specifically, the study sought to;
- Examine the teenagers' views concerning causes of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria.
- Examine the teenagers' views concerning teenage pregnancy prevention in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the teenagers' views concerning causes of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria?
- What are the teenagers' views concerning teenage pregnancy prevention in Nigeria?
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