Teenage pregnancy in Tambogrande, Peru: causes, consequences and cycles of violence and disadvantage

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy carries adverse consequences for health and well-being. In this article, we investigate the perceived causes, consequences and cycles of violence and disadvantage associated with teenage pregnancy in Tambogrande, Peru using an applied anthropological approach. Data were drawn from a larger project investigating the relationship between water insecurity and gender-based violence in Indonesia and Peru. The analysis presented here is derived from 49 semi-structured interviews and 5 focus groups with local community members and stakeholders in Peru. Study participants highlighted two main factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Tambogrande: machismo and religious deterrents to contraceptive use. Participants described how these factors overlapped, resulting in gendered power imbalances that increased the risk of violence, decreased educational opportunities, and reduced the economic independence of women. However, study participants stated that educational interventions targeting machismo could reduce teenage pregnancy and break the associated cycle of disadvantage. Future research will further investigate local social and gender norms to inform the design of a rights-based educational intervention, targeting upstream factors associated with teenage pregnancy in this area.

Keywords:

• Teenage pregnancy
• applied anthropology
• machismo
• religion
• social and gender norms

Notes

1 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.ADO.TFRT?end=2020&locations=PE&start=1960&view=chart

2 https://www.mesadeconcertacion.org.pe/organizacion

3 https://www.americananthro.org/AdvanceYourCareer/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=2150

4 https://www.ideas.org.pe/libros/Se%20embaraz%C3%B3%20Mi%20Ni%C3%B1a!%20An%C3%A1lisis%20del%20embarazo%20adolescente%20en%20Piura%20y%20propuestas%20de%20intervenci%C3%B3n.pdf

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a British Academy Knowledge Frontiers Grant (400136). The writing of this manuscript was supported by Loyola University Chicago via a Manuscript Assistance Grant from the Office of Research Services, a John Grant Bioethics Fellowship, and funding from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Social Work, Parkinson School of Public Health, and the Department of Anthropology.