Challenges, stigmas and resilience: experiences of mothers and pregnant teenagers attending adult schools

Abstract

This article is a product of the research project “The Inclusion of Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents at the Secondary Level”; its objective was to learn about the trajectory of family and school life, the challenges, stigmas and opportunities that these young people have to complete secondary education. The study was designed under a mixed, descriptive and cross-sectional approach. Seventy-eight adolescents between 15 and 20 years of age, enrolled in adult education centers in the 05-08 district of Santiago, Dominican Republic, participated in the study. The findings reveal that the social phenomenon continues to be influenced by multiple factors, and that the academic potential of young people does not seem to diminish. However, they recognize that the possibility of remaining in and graduating from secondary school, as well as the hope of continuing on to higher education, is affected by multiple factors associated with the lack of economic, psychological and socio-educational support. It is concluded that the lack of promotion of inclusive practices has a negative impact and places this group at greater risk of social exclusion.