Teenage pregnancy is not new in Mzansi, however, the statistics over the past few months have been staggering with girls as young as 10 giving birth. Several factors, including the girls’ physical and emotional health, need to be carefully taken into account. It also raises pertinent questions about sex education and the role of men and boys, writes Candice Khumalo and Vateka Halile.
According to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), South Africa has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy globally, with nearly one in four girls falling pregnant before turning 20 years old.
Poverty drives teen pregnancies
Durban-based social worker Andile Nduli says the main cause of teenage pregnancy is poverty, as the majority of teenagers who are pregnant live in rural areas and are stricken by poverty as they are unemployed and mostly depend on grants.
“Township teens end up engaging themselves in unsafe sexual relationships for money or to get someone who will provide them with basic needs and conceive babies. While rural teenagers find themselves entering arranged marriages because their parents need money.”
Social worker Andile Nduli
“Due to poverty, teenagers have been thrust into adult roles prematurely to financially provide families, so girls rely on motherhood as a transitional role to adulthood. Carrying babies offers a temporary uplift to social status, purpose, and positive identity.”
He also highlights the common and concerning ages of 14 to 16-year-old girls being pregnant and how this contributes significantly to high school drop-out rates among teen girls.
“Pregnancy disrupts a teen’s educational and career goals since most teenagers are likely to have a premature baby due to biological immaturity, possible social deprivation, and less prenatal care. Due to this, the teen is forced to stay with the child at the hospital baby nursery for a longer period, which is two to three months.”
Nduli mentions that teenage parents are still dependent on child support grants, and some have transportation barriers that prevent consistent contraceptive usage. Teenagers can, however, visit any government or private hospital to see a social worker, as these institutions have social workers who are dealing with teenage pregnancy.
“Having more clinics in rural areas and townships can enhance birth control access for most at-risk teenagers. Poverty is the major reason teenagers fall pregnant, but young children need to receive more support from the government through education and community awareness programmes.”
Educate boys and men
Luyolo Lengisi-Hawule, the co-founder of Langa for Men, highlights the importance of comprehensive sex education, especially for boys and men.
He points out that while services exist for young girls in South Africa, the lack of understanding and awareness among boys and men contributes to the ongoing issue of teen pregnancy. Additionally, he highlights the fact that girls in urban areas have access to these services, while those in rural areas may not.
He argues that South Africa needs to expand our efforts to reach all boys and men, regardless of where they live. In addition to providing education on sexual health, the country also needs to address the issue of gender equality and the societal pressures that lead to teen pregnancy.
“We can worry more about those that are in rural areas who can’t even get basic human resources,” he says.
Lengisi-Hawule points out that the first option would be to change the approach by developing programmes that target both young boys and men.
“Girls do not impregnate themselves. If we focus on girls only, we would be continuing and empowering the fatherlessness circle.”
Luyolo Lengisi-Hawule, the co-founder of Langa For Men
Teen coach Asanda Mguga from East London underlines that the increase in teenage pregnancy comes from a lack of knowledge among teens.
“Most of the parents I have interacted with feel uncomfortable having the sex education talk. Most parents give lectures and leave them there. For teens nowadays, having sex is such a ‘cool’ thing, and no one wants to miss out on it. They have sex just to be a part of the group; they fear being the weird or the odd one,” she says.
Open conversations and support crucial
Mguga adds, “As a teen coach, I normally have open conversations with teens, starting with the boyfriend and girlfriend chat to make them comfortable and then discussing sex.
“They often feel uncomfortable discussing sexual activities but eventually share it. The use of protection is still wobbly, and the conversation often emphasises future plans, and how they can be complicated by having a baby at an early age.”
When a teen is already pregnant and has decided to keep the baby, Mguga advises that parents be as supportive as possible (emotionally, financially, and otherwise) but should not take the responsibility away from the teen.
“We should not support teens being taken out of school to raise the baby; that is not a nice punishment. Parents should have open conversations with their teens about how their lives will change going forward or prevent it by having it beforehand.”
Furthermore, she emphasises that people should stop stigmatising sex and that healthcare workers need to be more welcoming and kinder to teens seeking sexual health.
“Teens are scared of going to clinics because of how some healthcare workers treat and shame them. Parents should also stop treating sex as a taboo issue, the more informed they are, the better their decision-making.”
Mguga advises that teenagers should wait a bit longer before engaging in sexual activities. It’s risky, and it can change one’s life in a blink of an eye.
LISTEN TO: Pregnant teens: Why Mzansi is losing the plot
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
