Struggles Beyond the Stereotypes: An In-Depth Look at Pregnant and Parenting Teens Today.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 3:04pm

Title	Struggles Beyond the Stereotypes: An In-Depth Look at Pregnant and Parenting Teens Today.
Publication Type	Thesis
Year of Publication	2002
Authors	Tovar, Elizabeth J.
Academic Department	Liberal Studies
Thesis Advisor	Warner, Rebecca
Degree	Honors Baccalaureate of Liberal Arts in Liberal Studies and the International Degree in Liberal Studies
Number of Pages	100
Date Published	08/2002
University	Oregon State University
City	Corvallis
Thesis Type	Undergraduate
Keywords	comparison, family support, multicultural relationships, parenthood, teen pregnancy
Abstract	This project is the result of a combined effort by my fellow researcher and photographer, Kimberly Ivancovich, and I. Together we set out to document the experiences of pregnant and parenting teens of Euro-American and Latino backgrounds. Through intensive discussion-based interviews and vivid photographs, stories of struggles and triumphs emerged. Additional research studying the history and social change involved in teen pregnancy rounded out this study of those often considered to be on the fringes of society. Several themes emerged as the stories stood side-by-side including subjects such as familial support, education, economics and societal expectations. Between the two cultural groups several similarities and differences became apparent as did the unexpected issue of multicultural relationships. Finally, this project became one of self-discovery as I uncovered the answers to some of my own nagging questions regarding the stereotypes of teen pregnancy and parenthood.