Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 The ducE ational Aspirations of Barbadian Adolescent Mothers and Their eP rceptions of Support Kathy-Ann Bellamy Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Education Commons, and the Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Kathy-Ann, Michelle Bellamy has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Ruth Crocker, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Barbara Chappell, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Georita Frierson, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract The Educational Aspirations of Barbadian Adolescent Mothers and Their Perceptions of Support by Kathy-Ann, Michelle Bellamy MSC, University of the West Indies, 2008 BA, University of the West Indies, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Educational Psychology Walden University February, 2017 Abstract Adolescent girls often face barriers to fulfill their educational aspirations after childbearing. Unfulfilled goals tend to be associated with low educational attainment and other adverse outcomes for the young mothers, their children, and society. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Barbadian young women who parented as adolescents and struggled to graduate from formal secondary school. The goal was to understand their perceptions of support for their educational aspirations by their peers and significant others. Social constructionism was the conceptual framework. Moustakas’ transcendental method guided data collection and analysis. Data were collected by conducting in-depth, semistructured interviews with 8 Barbadian women who bore children in their teen years and who struggled to complete formal high school. Rich descriptions emerged from the essence of their experiences and provided insight into the academic and emotional needs of school-age mothers. The analysis revealed that they experienced challenges balancing motherhood and being a student, stigma, hopelessness, and determination to reach their aspirations. They also experienced support by their friends, school personnel, and their families but they experienced little support from the fathers of their children. This study has implications that could affect positive social change by informing educators and families of the importance of meeting the unique needs of this vulnerable group. Educational leaders and policymakers could use these findings to guide programs aimed at empowering pregnant or parenting girls to achieve educational success and long-term socioeconomic wellbeing. The Educational Aspirations of Barbadian Adolescent Mothers and Their Perceptions of Support by Kathy-Ann, Michelle Bellamy MSC, University of the West Indies, 2008 BA, University of the West Indies, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Educational Psychology Walden University February, 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my wonderful family, for whom this journey at Walden would not have been possible without their love, understanding and support, to Robin Downes and Dr. Jennifer Crichlow who supported and encouraged me throughout this journey, and to the young women who shared their time and personal experiences to and make this possible. Acknowledgments I want to thank Dr. Ruth Crocker, my scholarly mentor and chairperson, who provided valuable insight, guidance, and encouragement while challenging me to always strive for excellence in academic writing. It was a blessing to have her as a chair. My scholarly writing has been significantly enhanced as a result of her guidance. I would like to thank Dr. Barbara Chappell, my second committee member. Her wisdom, support, and thought-provoking comments also helped me to complete this study. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6 Rationale for the Study ..................................................................................................8 Purpose .........................................................................................................................10 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................11 Research Questions ......................................................................................................12 Significance..................................................................................................................12 Definitions of Terms ....................................................................................................13 Assumptions .................................................................................................................14 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................14 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................16 Summary ......................................................................................................................16 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................18 Introduction ..................................................................................................................18 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................19 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................20 Adolescent Development .............................................................................................22 i Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenthood: A Statistical Analysis ...................................23 Adolescent Birth Rates: American Context .......................................................... 24 Adolescent Birth Rates: Caribbean Context ......................................................... 25 Adolescent Mothers and Educational Attainments ......................................................29 Past Research ........................................................................................................ 31 Current Research ................................................................................................... 33 Adolescent Childbearing and Socioeconomic Outcomes ............................................42 Early Childbearing and Motivation towards Socioeconomic well-being ............. 45 Prefertility Socioeconomic Circumstances ........................................................... 46 Cost to Society ...................................................................................................... 48 Children of Teen Mothers ..................................................................................... 49 Support Systems for Adolescent Mothers....................................................................51 Family Support...................................................................................................... 52 Friend and Father Support .................................................................................... 54 School-related supports ......................................................................................... 57 Community and Government Support .................................................................. 60 Review of Literature Related to Methodology ............................................................62 Quantitative Research ........................................................................................... 63 Qualitative Research ............................................................................................. 65 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 67 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................68