Control and Teenage Pregnancy: A Phenomenological Exploratory study of Chipete Village, Chembe District

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of parental control on teenage pregnancy in Chipete Village, Chembe District as a Phenomenological Exploratory study. The following objective guided the study; to establish the role of parental control on teenage pregnancy in Chipete Village, Chembe District. A qualitative Phenomenology design was used. The data was collected using interview guides and focus group discussion guide, while thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The study revealed that some of the roles of parents in controlling teenage pregnancy included; providing basic needs, offering spiritual and emotional support, education on sex and relationships and protection against bad company. The study recommended; Traditional leaders to stiffen punishment for teenage pregnancy in Chipete chiefdom to discourage would be perpetrators, existing Non-Governmental Organisation such as Natwampane to be more proactive on teenage pregnancy advocacy. Comprehensive Sexuality Education to be prioritised and integrated into existing subjects and taught as a cross-cutting issue to the pupils.