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The study aimed to explore teenagers’ perceptions towards teenage pregnancy and the
factors that affect the students’ decision about premarital sex. The findings of the study will help
in establishing how teenage pregnancy can be managed and controlled in the best way possible.
The study focuses on the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy of the Senior High School
students of the Laguna BelAir Science School. Data have been collected through giving
questionnaires to the Senior High School students of the Laguna BelAir Science School. The
results of the study shown that most of the Senior High School students’ reaction whenever they
encounter a pregnant teenager are either they won’t mind the person or they would support her.
The results of the study had also shown that sexual pressure or desire is one of the key factors
which affects the student’s decision about premarital sex. Based on the findings, it’s suggested to
conduct the study to other schools or institutions, include the students in other grade levels in the
study, and to group the samples by age, gender, and grade level to identify if there are differences
The researchers would like to thank Mr. Benjamin C. Decena, Jr. for guiding them all
throughout their study. They would like to thank the Library and Learning Resource Center of
the Laguna BelAir Science School for helping us in printing our papers. They would like to show
their gratitude towards the Senior High School students of the Laguna BelAir Science School for
helping them. Lastly, they would like to thank their parents, siblings, and the rest of their family
A. INTRODUCTION
Teenage pregnancy is one of the contemporary issues that our country is facing today.
Adolescents are the ones at fault. They are not the only victim, but also their child and family
members. It risks our economy’s vulnerability. It is highly inclined with premarital sex that led to
a communal, family, and personal problem rolled into one. It arises many questions that are left
In the Philippines, several groups have conducted surveys among Filipino communities, and
according to the results of the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey, “One in Ten
Young Filipino Women Age 15 to 19 Is Already a Mother or Pregnant with First Child”.
Teenagers won’t be able to provide for the child if their parents will not help them
financially. Their future will be left hanging. The won’t be able to finish their studies. They
won’t be able to find a decent job. They won’t be able to fulfill their obligations as a parent and
their child might end up like them. Teenage problems are the root that branches out many
Teenage pregnancy has several consequences. If not dealt properly, many babies will be born so
our country will be overpopulated. It also leads to teenagers dropping out from their schools in
order for them to take care of the baby and to avoid embarrassment from what they have done.
Many of these teens die due to poverty which leads them to lack of proper medical attention. (as
Teenage pregnancy is a growing problem in our country, however there are no specific laws
that address this concern. It highly depends on the couple’s decision since they are the ones
capable of making their own decision. This research is to be conducted to determine the
perceptions of senior the high school students in Laguna BelAir Science School towards teenage
pregnancy in the Philippines. The objective of conducting this study is to help raise awareness
The overall purpose of the study is to determine the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy
in the Philippines of Laguna BelAir Science School Senior High School students. Specifically, it
1. What will the Senior High School students’ reaction be if they encounter a pregnant
teenager?
2. What are the factors that affect the student’s decisions about premarital sex?
C. HYPOTHESIS
1. The Senior High School students are not in favor of Teenage Pregnancy in the
Philippines.
The study aims to explore teenagers’ perceptions towards teenage pregnancy and the factors
that affect students’ decisions about premarital sex. The findings of the study help in establishing
how best teenage pregnancy can be managed and controlled from the teenagers’ perspective.
To the students. This will help them because it will give them information about the factors that
may affect the student’s decisions about premarital sex. This will help them become aware.
To the researchers. The results of the study will be a great help to future researchers to know
To the parents. The study will benefit the parents to help them realize their role in educating
their children, protecting and diverting them from engaging in premarital sex. They must be
aware too of what factors may affect the student’s decision in engaging in premarital sex.
To the teachers. This study will benefit the teachers for they could be informed about how
important sexual education and development of children to manhood is. This enables them to
guide and identify the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy of the students.
To the school administrators. This study will benefit the school administrators. It would
provide them information of the importance of knowing the major factors behind early
To the community. This study will also benefit the community for they would know what really
is going on regarding this issue and how the students think about it. It will enable them to help
This study focuses on the perceptions on teenage pregnancy of the Senior High School
(Grades 11&12) students of Laguna BelAir Science School for S.Y. 2017-2018. In this study, the
students’ perceptions refer to evaluated belief which predispose the individual to respond in a
preferential way, that is, to react positively or negatively to teenage pregnancy. This study aims
to acquire the perceptions through survey. Out of school youth, Junior High School students, and
students below 15 years old will not be included in this study as such their opinions are not
reflected in this study. This is a limitation for this study as out of school youth are an important
demographic for teenagers. Specifically, the perceptions referred in this research were responses
of Senior High School students, that is either positive or negative towards teenage pregnancy in
the Philippines.
F. DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Adolescents – any person ages 13-19 and can be considered the transitional stage
an opinion or belief.
3. Pre-marital sex – Sexual activity practiced by people before they get married
4. Senior High School Students- This will refer to any student who is enrolled at school
5. Sexual Education – High quality teaching and learning about a broad variety of
topics related to sex and sexuality, exploring values and beliefs about those topics and
gaining skills that are needed to navigate relationships and manage one’s own sexual
health.
I. TEENAGE PREGNANCY
“One in ten young Filipino women age 15-19 has begun childbearing: 8 percent are already
mothers and another 2 percent are pregnant with their first child”( National Demographic and
Health Survey [NDHS], 2013). Cagayan Valley or Region 2 has the highest number of Teenage
pregnancies in the Philippines ages 15-19 years old(“Cagayan Valley has highest teenage
pregnancy rate” 2013). “The situation on teenage pregnancy is alarming as today’s adolescents
and young people pre-maturely experience critical and defining life events such as sex,
The situation of Teenage pregnancy in the Philippines is worsening, cases of it are increasing
in a steady phase. Teenage pregnancy deeply affects the young mother and also her child.Evident
to the worsening situation of Teenage pregnancy in the country, The Philippines has the highest
number of cases in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (World Vision Development
Foundation[WVDF], 2017). Twenty –four babies are being born by teenage moms every hour.
(Philippine StatisticalAuthority[PSA],2014).
Not less than 5 teenagers ages 10-14 years old become pregnant or give birth according
to the Commission on Population (PopCom) Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III (2017)
“They saw in recent years a rise in the number of teenage pregnancies in the country from 1,700
The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012, also known as
Reproductive Health Bill undertakes full access to contraception, maternal control, and sexual
education. (Republic act no. 10354 – Responsible parenthood and reproductive health act of
2012, 2013) .
According to Cabral (2013) The Reproductive Health Law shall provide reproductive
health products that shall be considered essential medicines and supplies and shall form part of
the National Drug Formulary. Their inclusion in the National Drug Formulary will enable
government to purchase contraceptives and not merely rely on unpredictable donations and RH
According to Baraquel (2017) The Senate Bill No. 1482 is an act providing for a national
policy in preventing teenage pregnancies, institutionalizing social protection for teenage parents
and providing funds therefor. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.
It shall include in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in
public and civic affairs. The United Nations Population Fund, on the other hand, stressed that
teenage pregnancy, among others, undermines girls' rights health, rights and opportunities.
UNFPA's State of World Population 2016 report shows that empowering today's 10-year-old
girls could yield huge demographic and economic dividends and build better societies.
According to JNFPA, teenage pregnancy limits far too many girls' hopes, dreams and aspirations.
It also costs the country around P33 billion each year in foregone earnings.
According to the report, girls who reach adulthood with an education and their health and
rights intact could triple their lifetime incomes, thereby fuelling progress for generations and
entire nations. By ensuring girls' right to education, including age appropriate comprehensive
sexuality education and access to youth friendly sexual and reproductive health Services and
advice, the country could improve the lives of hundreds of thousands, reap long term gains, and
help ensure the success of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In view of the foregoing
According to Kaphagawani and Kalipeni (2016) “ Among the prominent factors that
stood out in the analysis for this high rate of teenage pregnancy were early sex and marriage, low
contraceptive use, low educational levels, low socio-economic status, lack of knowledge of
“Women who gave birth as teens may come from fundamentally different backgrounds
(and have different traits) than those who do not give birth as teens.”.(Punongbayan, 2014)
“Findings show that young women’s motivations for sexual relationships are mostly
‘beyond love’ and seem to focus on economic factors.”.(Krugu, Mevissen, & Ruiter, 2016) .
“The critical thinking of adolescents is low meaning that schools should be aware while
“Six out of the eight teenagers wanted more frequent sex education and easier, cheap
2015)
Aragones (2017) stated that “Ten percent of our country’s population is composed of girls
aged 15-19; of these 10 million girls, one in 10 get pregnant — that’s one million teenagers who
“More than 18,400 women between the ages of 15-19 had two children, another 2,800
teenagers who get pregnant below 16 years of age are more likely to die from child birth. This
happens because the mother and the baby are not screened well or didn’t undergo pre-natal care
checkup.(“Tacio”, 2017)
Poverty is one of the major effects of Teenage Pregnancy, it has a huge impact on the
health of pregnant mothers including inadequate nutrition due to poor eating habits during the
stage of pregnancy, Teenage moms have a high risk of getting sexually-transmitted diseases such
as HIV and AIDS and are also at risk of eclampsia which can later lead to maternal death.There
is no soure of stable income and most probably face will face grater financial problems in the
future for teenage mothers likely because they are drop outs and are less likely to go back to
schools or take skills programs, “Alarmingly, while maternal deaths are decreasing in the
Philippines, teenage maternal deaths are increasing.Ten percent of pregnant teenagers died in the
last year, according to the PSA. Data from the WHO also show a high and increasing incidence
Only about 50% of teenage mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age.
Furthermore, the children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school achievement
and to drop out of high school and have more health problems and poor performance in
school,Teenage pregnancy has great effect to teenage mothers. The great majority of teenage
pregnancies are unintended as it ended in abortion. Overall assessment showed that, as of 2011,
According to “Teenage Pregnancy Issues and Challenges,” (n.d.) Women are able to give
birth as soon as they begin menstruating, there are some possible risks when you have a child
early on in your teen years. These things are not guaranteed to happen, but it is a good idea to
talk to your doctor about your reproductive health to know about any concerning signs or
symptoms for your body. Some of the few risks that are greater if you are pregnant before the
age of 15 or you do not seek prenatal care are: low birth weight/premature birth, anemia (low
iron levels), high blood pressure/pregnancy induced hypertension, PIH (can lead to preeclamps),
mathematics and technology. Classes began on June 9, 1997 in a modern two-story building
inside the exclusive Laguna BelAir Subdivision. Empire East Landholdings Inc., a real estate
developer providing housing for all income levels, built both the school and the residential
houses in the community(n.d.). They have a total of is 54 grade 11 students and 68 grade 12
students.
III. ANALYSIS
The related studies and literature are relevant to the study of teenage pregnancy. It helps
define what Teenage pregnancy is and what laws and bills are highly related to the problem like
the Reproductive Health act. The related literature and studies also help in giving the primary
background for the major causes of teenage pregnancy in the country, it also determine its effects
in terms of poverty, health problems, and rate of drop-out students. This information gathered
from the related literature and studies will help the population of senior high school students in
Laguna BelAir Science School understand the study better as for the researchers, it will help
METHODOLOGY
This chapter discussed the systematic methods applied in the field of study. It includes the
structure and direction of the research to ensure that the problem is properly addressed.
A. Kind of Research
Descriptive research was used in this study. This refers to a kind of research in
phenomenon. It is focused in answering the question “what is” or what exists in the
population. The researchers want to determine what is the perceptions of Senior High
School students of Laguna BelAir Science School towards Teenage Pregnancy in the
Philippines.
B. Research Design
Descriptive-survey was used in this study. This is useful in providing facts about
the perceptions of Senior High School students of Laguna BelAir Science School towards
research instrument. Stratified random sampling was used in the study where the
population of Senior High School students of Laguna Bel Air Science School is grouped
according to grade level and section. Sample survey was utilized by the researchers. This
is a type of survey where only a representative portion of the population will be included
in the study.
C. Flow Chart of Research
Preparation of Questionnaire
the perceptions of Senior High School students of Laguna BelAir Science School towards
Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines. The questions were based on the specific problems
stated in the introduction of the study which seeks to answer those questions using a
questionnaire.
19 from Faraday, 14 from Nash, 30 from Curie. The samples obtained in the study were
from the Senior High School students of Laguna Bel Air Science School. The number of
students was attained from the School Registrar. The sample of students were randomly
researchers utilized the use of a sample survey where the researchers will get samples
from the population of Senior High School students of Laguna Bel Air Science School
according to their section and grade level. This will determine the respondents for the
study. The researchers asked a representative from each section to distribute the survey
and the return the answered survey at the end of the day. The survey was conducted
within 1 day.
for tabulating the information gathered from the questionnaires. The researchers
organized the results into different tables and graphs which helped them formulate
Interpretation of results
The researchers interpreted the results of the study through the analysis of the
formulated bar graph and a pie graph. The bar graph presented the data in different levels
according to categories which helped the researches evaluate the results of the study. The
pie graph presented the data gathered from the survey in percentages. This helped the
This chapter discussed the summary of data and interpretation of the obtained results in the
study on the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy in the Philippines of the Senior High School
This study investigated the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy in the Philippines of the
Senior High School students in Laguna BelAir Science School and these data were gathered
from a total population of 92 Senior High School students in Laguna BelAir Science School but
14.46%
2.41% Pity the victim Talk to her and suggest a
counselor
33.73%
15.66% Avoid the victim Support the victim
I won't mind the victim Her parents don't take care of
her properly
Others
33.73%
1. What
will the Senior High School students’ reaction be if they encounter a pregnant teenager?
Figure 4.1. Number of Response of the Senior High School students in Laguna BelAir Science
In Figure 4.1., the number of response of Senior High School students in Laguna Bel Air
Science School on their reaction if they encounter a pregnant teenager were presented. It was
shown that most of the students won’t mind the victim of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines
with a total of 28 responses. It was tied with the students supporting the teenager with a total of
28 responses as well. It was followed by 13 students who responded that they will talk to the
teenager and suggest a counsellor. Next was the students who pities the victim of teenage
pregnancy with a total of 12 responses. Next was the students who wrote their own answer. One
will encourage her to be independent then, the other said that he is in no position to judge her.
Lastly, there were no students who responded that they will avoid nor will blame the victim’s
parents
2. What are the factors that affect the student’s decisions about premarital sex?
12.68%
19.01%
Figure 4.2. Number of Response of the Senior High students in Laguna BelAir Science
School on the factors that affect the student’s decisions about premarital sex in the
Philippines.
In Figure 4.2., the number of response of the Senior High students in Laguna BelAir
Science School on the factors that affect the student’s decisions about premarital sex in the
Philippines were presented. It was shown that most common factor that affects the student’s
decision about premarital sex is sexual pressure with 39 respondents. It was followed by peer
pressure with 27 respondents. Next was the lack of parental guidance with 23 respondents
followed by the influence of alcohol and drugs with 18 respondents. Next was the lack of sexual
education then followed by rape or sexual abuse with 13 respondents. Lastly 6 respondents
responded others. Among the 6 respondents who answered others 2 responded it was the victims’
personal choice, 2 responded it was the result of curiosity, 1 responded it was because of social
media, 1 responded the victim was pressured by their boyfriend or girlfriend. 1 responded don’t
know.
CHAPTER V
This chapter presents the conclusion drawn and recommendations made based on the
study on the perceptions towards teenage pregnancy in the Philippines of the Senior High School
A. Conclusion
The results of the study shown that most of the Senior High School students’ reaction
upon encountering a pregnant teenager are either they won’t mind the victim or they
would support the victim both having 34% of the sample population’s response. Other
reactions gathered from the Senior High School students where either pity the victim, talk
The results of the study had also shown that sexual pressure or desire is one of the
key factors which affects the student’s decision about premarital sex having 28% of the
sample population. Other key factors may include peer pressure with 19% of the sample
population and lack of parental guidance with 16% of the sample population.
B. Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions presented, the following recommendations
are suggested:
1. Group the samples by age, gender, and grade level to identify if there are