Adolescent Mothers' Subjective Well-Being and Mothering Challenges in a Yoruba Community, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Well-being varies within cultures and context. Studies on the well-being and mothering challenges of adolescents in Nigeria have focused on the general poor well-being of adolescent mothers rather than exploring their agency and subjective well-being within specific context. This study explores adolescent mothers' (13–20 years) subjective well-being by focusing on their childbirth, mothering experiences, and available network of supports. Thirty face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted through the support of four informants and peer referrals. Content analysis was used to identify salient themes and patterns. Findings showed that a high proportion of the adolescent mothers had stigmatizing experiences among which include dropping out of school, and lack of supports from families, friends, and the society. Where available, supports were perceived as inadequate in contributing to their well-being and that of their children. Some of the adolescent mothers were apprehensive of losing their children to ill health while emphasizing that their present challenges could affect their children's future. However, the adolescent mothers invoked their agency by subtly using strategies such as petty trading and apprenticeship to reduce the social consequences of unintended pregnancy and earn a living. Recognizing adolescent mothers' agency in policies targeted toward their empowerment would be of benefit.

Keywords:

• unintended pregnancy
• subjective well-being
• adolescent mothers
• agency
• Southwest Nigeria

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants for their involvement in the research. We also express our thanks to the four key informants who gave us invaluable support in the recruitment of the participants. In addition, we acknowledge the contributions of the anonymous reviewers to the earlier version of this article as well as the contributions of the organizing committee of the Faculty of Social Science 2011 International Conference at the Obafemi Awolowo University where the article was initially presented.