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Social Dynamics of Adolescent Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (1993) / Chapter Skim
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pages 1-4

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... In particular, where girls find opportunities for education they seek to prolong their school careers, a goal that most national policies as well as family elders declare incompatible with motherhood. The most significant change in sub-Saharan Africa is not a rise in overall rates of adolescent fertility but in childbearing among women who do not appear to be married.
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From page 2...
... Hence, girls encounter strong social pressures against childbearing before they have had adequate preparation for adult responsibilities, and when no responsible father is in view. Ages at first birth are strongly correlated with the educational attainment of women, especially secondary education, and most African countries have successfully raised their levels of education within the past two or three decades.
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From page 3...
... Again, the social context of childbearing is extremely important. Many prenatal clinics and family planning programs serve only married women, leaving unmarried teens to forgo these services or acquire them through informal channels or local medical practitioners.
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Key Terms

  • social context
  • adolescent childbearing
  • fertility outside
  • especially secondary
  • strong caution

  • highly desired
  • married women
  • strongly correlated
  • report builds
  • public antipathies

  • recognized father
  • school dropout
  • approved relationship
  • dangerous abortions
  • adequate preparation

  • supportive paternal
  • adult responsibilities
  • training preparation
  • elders declare
  • adequate ritual

  • significant change
  • distinct configurations
  • social pressures
  • local medical
  • married adolescents

  • virtually impossible
  • elders try
  • african births
  • national policies
  • programs serve


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