“I never thought about it, it was not in my plans. When I realized that I was already four weeks old and despite not feeling suitable for motherhood, I decided to keep the pregnancy. I knew this decision would interfere with many of my personal aspirations, but hey, he’s my son: a great blessing in my life. Then I will continue to study, because I want to be a dentist. My parents will help me from time to time and I already have a ‘little job’ in the sky to facilitate her proper care.”

These are the words of Gabriela, an 18-year-old girl from Havana. His story is not unique. This is a reflection of a phenomenon that has been gaining momentum in Cuban society in recent years: pregnancy and early motherhood. According to the Statistical Yearbook of Health, 18,297 children were born to mothers aged 14 to 19 during 2021.

A study by the National Office of Statistics and Information confirms that 15.5 percent of births each year are teenage pregnancies, despite National Health System policies, youth-focused programming, and public education about these issues.

The paradox is that the Greater Antilles continues to be the Latin American country with the lowest total fertility rate, but the rate has not declined in adolescents in the same proportion as in the general population of women of childbearing age.

Pregnancy at an early age is multifactorial, as studies by the Center for Demographic Research at the University of Havana and the Center for Youth Studies have shown. First, this is facilitated by the context in which these adolescents develop, with a predominance of casual insecure relationships, a phenomenon that is confirmed by sociocultural processes, such as consumption of reggaeton from childhood.

On the other hand, there is a mismatch of societal values ​​and a lack of adequate intra-family relationships, factors exacerbated by the lack of risk perception characteristic of this stage. The existence of young parents is also an element influencing the decision to accept early fatherhood or motherhood, as they are a template with which they interact on a daily basis, especially if these adults do not have a sufficient degree of maturity to ensure the well-being of children. their parents, their descendants and provide them with a different future.

Pregnancy at an early age has consequences in several areas and represents a total change in the lives of both teenagers, who, becoming father and mother, take on responsibilities for which they were not ready. As a rule, their desire for improvement is frustrated (especially for a girl), and the time for relaxation and communication with friends, which is usually a priority at this stage of life, partially or completely disappears. In other words, they are giving up one of the most beautiful periods in a person’s life.

In addition, it should be noted that in most cases there is expulsion from school and initiation into the workplace by one or both, but in jobs with little specialization (for the maintenance of this creature they cannot afford to choose). Not to mention the drastic changes taking place in the families involved to welcome the unexpected member.

It is impossible to ignore the uncertainty in the future of these kids, who, in most cases, bear the consequences of the immature act of their parents. Unfortunately, sometimes they fail to meet their parents because they refuse to take responsibility for a relationship that they classify as casual, high in alcohol, and just for one night.

Cases like Gabriela’s can be prevented if young people and their families are more aware; responsibility for a dialogue that naturalizes the knowledge and responsible use of multiple contraceptive methods. The community, school and society also play an important role. The well-being of future mothers and fathers depends on all of us, so that they plan this moment better and do not waste their lives only on 18 springs. Or less…

Source: Juventud Rebelde