Title Becoming a Mother in Adolescence:The Role of Social Inequality, Sexuality Education and Men /
Authors Tretjakova, Vaida ; Šumskaitė, Lina ; Ubarevičienė, Rūta ; Pociūtė - Sereikienė, Gintarė
ISBN 9782956908708
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Is Part of Abstract Book. 14th ESA Conference Manchester 20th-23rd August 2019: Europe and Beyond: Boundaries, Barriers and Belonging.. Manchester : European Sociological Association, 2019. p. 337.. ISBN 9782956908708
Keywords [eng] Motherhood in adolescence ; Sexuality Education ; Lithuania
Abstract [eng] Adolescent fertility rate (AFR) in Lithuania is 2-4 times higher than AFR in the countries of Northern and Western Europe. Furthermore, there is a high degree of regional differentiation within the country – AFR is significantly higher in peripheral rural regions and lower in the municipalities of major cities. In this paper we aim to investigate the reasons behind the spatial differentiation of adolescent fertility and explore subjective experiences of teenage motherhood in peripheral regions of Lithuania. Following recent literature about the determinants of adolescent fertility (Lindberg et al. 2012; Santelli et al. 2017) we focus on the effect of structural socio-economic inequalities and sexuality education. Additionally, we examine the role men play in this process. We employ a mixed methods approach. Firstly, we apply mathematical-statistical geoanalysis on fertility data (vital statistics on births to mothers aged 15-19). Secondly, we analyse semi-structured interviews conducted in districts with high AFR: 20 interviews with girls who had their child(ren) in adolescence and 24 interviews with social workers, schools’ representatives, public health specialists. Our analysis indicates that the state “fails” Lithuanian teenage girls in rural areas at every step of their transition to adulthood and motherhood: social and economic security of children is not insured (most teenage mothers come from socially and economically deprived families); sexuality education in schools is inadequate, often focused on engraining negative attitudes towards abortion; there is no special provision or support for teenage mothers after the child is born. Research project "Spatial differentiation of adolescent fertility in Lithuania: socioeconomic environment, the role of sexual education and individual experiences" (financed by the Lithuanian Research Council, contract No. SMIP-17-115).
Published Manchester : European Sociological Association, 2019
Type Conference paper
Language English
Publication date 2019