Challenge to balance motherhood and schooling

Across South Africa, teenage pregnancy seems to lead to teenage mothers terminating schooling and only 1:3 of teenage mothers return to school. Academically, the teenage mother may find it challenging to progress and even average learners may become underachievers while trying to balance motherhood and schooling.

Lack of Support

Challenges are aggravated by lack of support by teachers and peers and babies are not supported in schools. Teacher and school attitudes vary widely and many teenagers feel that the teachers “gave up on them”.
 

Across South Africa, teenage pregnancy seems to lead to teenage mothers terminating schooling and only 1:3 of teenage mothers return to school.

Pressure from Family

Breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is challenging and in light of daycare fees and cost of formula, family often put pressure on the teenage mother to give schooling up.