Teenage pregnancies are on the increase despite preventive measures and problems associated with illegitimate
pregnancies and the scare of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Why is that the case? Various research conducted to
investigate the perpetual increase of teenage pregnancies despite problems and constraints they cause, cite a number
of reasons as compounding the problem. For instance Brits (1989, p.64) points out the lack of information
© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
432 Nkoloyakhe D. Mpanza and Dumisani R. Nzima / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 5 (2010) 431–439
concerning sexuality and birth control measures, depression due to peer pressure, lack of commitment, fear of
rejection and longing for affection as some of the reasons for teenagers to fall pregnant. The circumstances of both
the pregnant teenager and her family have changed dramatically. It is assumed that when a teenager has a baby, this
will destroy her chances of getting education and may damage her health (Macleod, 1999). Young people are not
considered able to maintain a secure and happy marriage. There is a concern for the health of the baby, and for the
dependency burden on families and social welfare.