If she's pregnant, then that means that her dreams fade away: exploring experiences of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in Rwanda

Coast, Ernestina ORCID: 0000-0002-8703-307X, Merci Mwali, Marie, Isimbi, Roberte, Ngabonzima, Ernest, Pereznieto, Paola, Buzby, Serafina, Dutton, Rebecca and Baird, Sarah (2021) If she's pregnant, then that means that her dreams fade away: exploring experiences of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in Rwanda. European Journal of Development Research, 33 (5). pp. 1274-1302. ISSN 0957-8811

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Abstract

Adolescent motherhood can alter the future opportunities available to girls and the challenges they face. This article considers how adolescents’ capabilities are influenced by pregnancy and motherhood, using a mixed-methods case study of Rwanda. Adolescent motherhood impacts girls’ lives across multiple capabilities including education, psychosocial well-being, voice and agency, and economic empowerment. Rarely were adolescent mothers in our sample supported to return to school, for instance. Their pregnancy and motherhood were stigmatised by their families, peers, wider community and service providers. The psychosocial consequences of adolescent motherhood are significant, linked to social isolation and multifaceted stressors, including poverty. Despite recent policy and service improvements, adolescent mothers continue to be left behind.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.palgrave.com/gp/journal/41287
Additional Information:	© 2021 European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)
Divisions:	International Development
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2021 09:15
Last Modified:	23 Nov 2024 05:15
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/111017

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