SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM

OF UNDERAGE MOTHERS:
UC MOHRANO

AMJAD

UNIVERSITY OF SINDH JAMSHORO

2020

1
 SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM
OF UNDERAGE MOTHERS:
UC MOHRANO

By

AMJAD
2K17/SW/15

This thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

BS in Social Work

2020
2
 DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to my beloved Mom and

Dad, and also to my all soulmates

I
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

“All the praises and appreciation goes to Almighty Allah without

whose approval and support nothing is possible in this universe “

My sincere acknowledgment goes to my supervisor, Dr. Faisal Hyder

Shah for the patient guidance, and his continues cooperation and
encouragement throughout this research study. His ever motivating and
encouraging remarks, passionate and expert advice helped a lot to accomplish
this task. He was always accessible, whenever I wanted to meet him and I am
also thankful for his trust in my abilities.

The profound credit of this achievement goes to my family, my

parents, who always stood beside me, motivated and encourage me at every
step of my academic career.

I am also thankful to faculty of social science and University of Sindh,

Jamshoro for providing me the opportunity to study here; I will never ever
forget the wonderful moments I have spent here in this beautiful campus.

I would also extend my gratitude to my friends and colleagues who

have been with me during this BS journey. Special thanks to Mr.: Ali Asghar
and Pervez Ali.

Finally, I am thankful to all my interview respondent for their support.

Special thanks to my community for their cooperation and hospitality during
my field work and data collection.

I will always remain indebted to all the people who have played a
slight role in my journey of this degree.

Amjad Soomro

II
Dec 2020

III
 ABSTRACT
The underage mother means that the girls under the age of 18 who

have got married and gave birth to child, this study investigate that what type

of problems faced by underage mothers and also factors creating these

problems. The problems surrounded underage mothers from different aspects,

due to immature and unaware about their future responsibilities and tasks they

suffer hardly from this unexpected journey, this study based on following

objectives: To analyze the social and psychological problems of underage

mothers. To analyze the behavior and attitudes of underage mothers and

motherhood.. To analyze the difficulties of rearing and caring the child and

maintain their own personal development and conditions. This study adopted

descriptive interview design and non-probability, convenience and judgmental

or purposive sampling, the location of this study is UC Mohrano, Taluka

Mithi, and District Tharparkar.

Key words: underage mothers, social, psychological problems, adolescent

pregnancy

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 ABBREVIATIONS

MPA: Member of Provisional Assembly

DHS: Demographic Health and Survey

WHO: World Health Organization

LHW: Lady Health Worker

CRC: Convention for the Rights Of Children

UDHR: Universal Declaration of Human Rights

PPC: Pakistan Penal Code

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION..............................................................................................................I
ACKNOWLEDGMENT..............................................................................................II
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................III
ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................IV
TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................V
CHAPTER ONE..........................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................1
1.1.1 Underage Mothers...................................................................................3
1.1.2 Social problems of underage mother.......................................................3
1.1.3 Psychological Problems..........................................................................4
1.2 Background....................................................................................................4
1.2.1 Changes in a girl after parenthood...........................................................6
Addition of new responsibilities................................................................6
Change in life style.....................................................................................6
Emotional adjustment................................................................................6
Changing in relationship...........................................................................6
1.3 problems statement........................................................................................7
1.4 Research Questions........................................................................................8
1.5 Research Objectives.......................................................................................8
1.6 Scope of Study...............................................................................................9
1.7 Conclusion.....................................................................................................9
CHAPTER TWO.......................................................................................................11
LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................11
2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................11
2.2 Literature review..........................................................................................12
2.3 Conclusion...................................................................................................16
CHAPTER THREE...................................................................................................17
METHODOLOGY AND METHODS...................................................................17
3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................17
3.2 Research Methods........................................................................................17
3.3 Sampling......................................................................................................18

VI
 3.4 Sample Population.......................................................................................18
3.5 Research Design...........................................................................................18
3.6 Conclusion...................................................................................................18
CHAPTER FOUR.....................................................................................................20
DATA ANALYZE................................................................................................20
4.1 Themes.........................................................................................................20
4.1.1 Physical growth/ Condition...................................................................20
4.1.2 Social relationship.................................................................................21
4.1.3 Child rearing and caring........................................................................22
4.1.4 Depression.............................................................................................23
4.1.5 Maternal mortality.................................................................................24
4.1.6 Hypertension.........................................................................................25
4.1.6 Isolation................................................................................................25
CHAPTER FIVE.......................................................................................................26
CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION............................26
5.1 Conclusion...................................................................................................26
5.2 Discussion....................................................................................................27
5.3 Recommendation.........................................................................................28
References.................................................................................................................29

VII
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

It is very serious issue nowadays even in past. It is very common in

Middle-Eastern countries rules by religious laws and old fashioned tradition.

It’s also common for an old age person to marry a teenage girl. These girls are

under the age of 18 who have been exposed to sexual attachment on

adolescence forced by their family to marry on. Or run away from home to

marry. They become pregnant in this age group and become child mother.

This situation creates multidimensional problems due to mother being a child.

Now it’s the point that become the mother in this age group is very

challenging for her because this is time of enjoyment and learning not for such

heavy responsibilities. Even her own development of bio psychosocial aspects

does not complete then how she would be able to perform such duties. Like

child rearing and training along with house hold. (In some rich families may

be education and other work jobs and training also.)

Under age pregnancy is actually health issue that has an effect on all of

us. A underage child having a baby is likely goes to face critical social and

psychological issues like poverty, poor education, unemployment decreases

learning and joyful environment, mentally stress and depression, risky

behaviors that move to poor health, social and psychological issues.

In this age group of girls always unaware from all responsibilities of

being a mother and responsible for whole family’s work. We know that if

1
anyone s entrained and unskilled in any field that we don’t select for that duty

and task. There is also something the duties of being wife and mother there are

so many and heavy responsibilities and for fulfilling them. We need such a

skilled and aware woman who can be able to perform all the challenges and

targets. At this stage of life every individual mostly connected with education,

and it’s very different for those who have such responsibilities (child rearing

and training, households and other family tasks.) . The marriage is disturbance

at this age and also becoming the mother at teenage is very critical and risky.

So the educational environment almost finished mainly of females. Due to

family problem, religious and cultural traditions parents make their teenager

also parents. Even parents are known very well the dreams of children will be

finished. Underage mothers always remain incomplete in both fields (child

and being parents). On one hand they lose their child life and education field

and on other side they are very unfamiliar in performing the basic and all

duties of being the holder of house. Underage female always face hard

challenges during their delivery even some times those immature females lose

their lives during giving birth to their first baby. After facing these challenges

finally they give birth to their baby. But, if we check our surrounding then we

can know that during this age group pregnancy, babies almost are weak and

unhealthy and they have less chances to survive in this world.

The second stage is rearing and caring of children. It’s much unknown

for these mothers to face these issues and hard to perform them. Their own

rearing and caring is also incomplete that’s why they are unable to complete

these duties. They can’t continue their mental and physical condition and also

not of their children. Both mothers and children always face these challenges.

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 Motherhood is a very important event in the life of women. Parental

role is process that requires very necessary abilities. Learn suitable behavior

and found (adjust) in maternal identity. Early motherhood affected not only

underage girl but also her partner, family and society. Changing the life

standard from child to motherhood needs to preparedness of physical,

psychological and social aspects. But these under age mothers are not needy

for all these aspects unknown. After giving birth to a baby they don’t know

that what I have to do? Or how it will be done? So all the primary steps would

be takes by their family members like grandmother of child and all other

relatives.

1.1.1 Underage Mothers

According to the law convention on the rights of children all the

individuals under the age of 18 are considered as children in the pediatric age

group who becomes pregnant and give birth are the underage mothers.

1.1.2 Social problems of underage mother

 Difficulties during giving birth to baby.

 During this age group almost babies are weak and unhealthy.

 Underage motherhood is also effects education of individual.

 Impacts on physical growth.

 Social relationship with partner and family.

 Unaware in child rearing and caring.

 Increasing poverty and population.

 Cut off from joyful activities and environment.

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1.1.3 Psychological Problems

 Depression (post natal) and physical exhaustion.

 Stress and Frustrations of added responsibilities.

 Fear of unknown destiny.

 Mental morality.

 Tension of ending free life.

 Thinking every time.

 Pregnancy induced hypertension.

 Anxiety over their inexperience.

 Personal freedom limited.

 Confusion on how to care for child.

 Loneliness due to isolation from friend and parents (Basic

Family).

1.2 Background

The research area is the desert area of province Sindh called

Tharparkar but it is very difficult to describe the issue because there is no any

this type of research conducted at that area, but with the help of some articles

related to this study we can find something about my selected topic.

A article published in dawn October 27th 2019.

In 2019 Sindh health minster Dr Azra Pechuho visited various

government heath faculties about child death in Tharparkar along with MPA

Qasim Siraj Soomro and many doctors they find that underage marriage is

4
responsible for child death. It means that underage mother has lot of problems

and difficulties being a mother she requires to be the responsible for the role of

provider, nurturer, protector and guider too. Our society expect their mother to

be a well and positive role model to make and keep clean, feed the child, safe

and secure environment to protect child from all harms and difficulties and

make sure that the physical and mental health of child is good. Besides that the

responsibilities of being mother is to take care of house, father, mother in law,

husband. And all households are included. All above mentioned duties and

responsibilities are very heavy and uncontrolled for every underage girl.

The Sindh child marriage restraint act 2013 passed in 2014 in the

provincial assembly of Sindh also prohibits the marriage of any child under

the age of 18 years old and provides penalties for a male contracting party the

person who solemnizes the marriage as well as parent or guardian concerned.

In under age mothers having child is move to bring changes to the lines of the

mothers, shifted from the expected feelings of joy and excitement, moved to

the frustration and stress (anxiety. These all negative feelings come from light

attention by the parents and to add new responsibilities.

In this area is very common for people to do marriage of their children

at the age of 14 to 18, in some cases it may be less or above. There can be

many reasons behind the scene. It includes culture civilization, ethics and

moral. But there may be political financial aspects. Due to immaturity lot of

confusion depression and it would be very difficult for them to survive and

face these challenges.

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1.2.1 Changes in a girl after parenthood

Addition of new responsibilities.

Having kids is a long-term attachment with responsibilities which are

social psychological and emotional and physical care .

Change in life style.

Having children in the home parents cannot make choices only of their

own needs, curtailed person freedom and forced to work for the children upon

the age of children.

Emotional adjustment.

Experience of caring and rearing child create confusion frustration for

ending personal freedom and addition of responsibilities. Isolation from family

and friends creates loneliness being pregnant giving birth them caring lead to

depression.

Changing in relationship.

After giving birth focus on child neglect their partner. These issues are

indicated in our areas which are very clear we can observe in our society. If

we check history we find these things from the start but mostly in rural areas

its common, because their culture, ethics and morals are strongly based. They

know very well all the challenges facing their children, but its normal for them

because they also passed from this stage. They faced these challenges but due

to strong religious and culture they can’t go against their religious and culture.

6
1.3 problems statement

Basically underage mothers are those who give birth in pediatric age

means under the age of 16 and 18, and responsible for all the duties and targets

after giving birth to baby.

It is the point that during this age group every individual wants to line

a free and joyful life. But if they connected these with bands of marriages then

they face so many social biological and psychological challenges mainly

underage mothers lighting effected for fulfilling these responsibilities the

underage mother needs knowledge awareness physical strength and mentally

prepared, but these things comes after experiences and observations. They do

not have these all aspects for facing these challenges that’s why they become

socially and physically depressed frustrate and confuse for their unknown

future and for all these responsibilities.

This problems is not only in any particular area but it is found ever all

the world, mainly in the cultural countries and these countries follows their

cultural value ethics and morals. But if we look our surrounding than we can

know easily that this problem actually exists in rural areas mostly than urban

areas.

This research is going to be conducted in district Tharparkar. Where it

is very common for people to make their children parents. Because people are

very loyal to their religious, culture and tradition. This problem has a very

long story perspective but I observed this problem in this period and make

7
intention to do research on it. Actually its conducted with culture and tradition

that why its very longer as these things are, but day by day it’s going to be

very harmful and uncontrolled for whole society.

Underage motherhood indicate his difficulties challenges which cannot

be face these difficulties and challenges then these maybe some reasons

beyond the scene and that’s why there should be work on finding the social

and psychological problems of underage mothers.

It is all over all statement of problems that what is the problem? And

what are the consequences of that problem. The study therefore sets to

recognize the reasons traits and problems of underage mothers. Their social

and psychological problems like family background physical and mental

strength. In addition the study will elaborate their push and pull factors.

1.4 Research Questions

Q # 01: How underage mother lives in her home and community?

Q # 02: How religious, culture and traditions impact on marriage system?

Q # 03: What are the social and psychological problems with underage mother

and child?

1.5 Research Objectives

This research has following objectives.

 To analyze the social and psychological problems of underage

mothers.

 To analyze the behavior and attitudes of underage mothers to

motherhood.

8
  To analyze the difficulties of rearing and caring the child and

maintain their own personal development and conditions.

1.6 Scope of Study

This study will be very helpful to understand the problems difficulties

and challenges facing underage mothers in rural areas mainly of Tharparkar

region because the education is almost 0% for girls in rural areas and there is

no any awareness about health and social procedure of living a peaceful life.

Unknown for all their rights and needs suitable time for getting

marriage and giving birth to child. The main scope of this study is to analyze

the over all whole process from teenage marriage to become mother at the age

of 18.

To provide complete and clear information about challenges and

difficulties of underage motherhood. I hope this study will be beneficial for all

the underage youth their parents and whole society to cope and solve this

problem.

1.7 Conclusion

In this chapter the researcher addressed the definitions characteristics

and historical perspective of underage motherhood and brief introduction

mentioned all social and psychological problems of underage mothers, knew

all factors contributing in individual females life after getting marriage and

giving birth to children clearly pointed out the condition of respected areas

9
according to this problems that what is problem? How it starts and how it’s

identified?

And also got knowledge about how they face these all challenges and

difficulties clearly mentioned detailed statement of problems objectives of

doing study and importance of study.

10
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

A research is incomplete without literature review, it will be

productive and more informative when the researcher after analyzing problem

takes the help of previous work on that topic or related to this work, it is very

necessary in research that the researcher must have to do literature review for

knowing the route taken by previous researchers techniques and tools used and

which methods and methodology used and what type of methodology and

methods researcher have to use , due to literature we can get the knowledge

about topic from previous study, research, books, articles and newspapers or

relevant information. The researcher do literature review for analyzing the

topic and previous work that how much work has done on it and what the gaps

are remaining, how previous researchers take this issue from which angle they

researched that problem and what I have to do now, through that I can make

my research best as much as possible and will focus mainly on those gaps and

blanks.

This chapter of literature review will elaborate the social and psychological

issues of underage mothers; this chapter will collect data from previous

researches done on that same topic for understanding the social and

psychological problems of underage motherhood.

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2.2 Literature review

The concept of underage motherhood is a multidimensional issue with

social, economic, religious, cultural and legal aspect. They mentioned that

underage motherhood itself is a problem along with other associated problems,

the seriousness of teenage pregnancy and motherhood as a health issue is

reflected in the health of nations initiative, in England they set target to reduce

the ratio of underage marriages at the age of under sixteen at least 50% from

its 1989 based of 9.5 per 1000 to 4.8 by 2020[ CITATION oze143 \l 1033 ].

According to [ CITATION oze144 \l 1033 ] in 2008 (DHS) turkey

demographic and health survey during data collection they indicate that by

adolescent period 6% female started to bear babies, 4% have babies and 2%

have their first pregnancy.

According to[ CITATION Man07 \l 1033 ] underage mothers face many

physical, psychological and social problems, encountered the understanding of

challenges by adolescent motherhood.

Adolescent pregnancies and motherhood for coming generation’s

growth can be a major threat. It will effect in health, education, economic and

social aspects of individual, family and whole community, adolescent

pregnancy contribute to increase poverty, decrease promoting gender equality,

because these problems are the major threat in reducing girls abilities and

skills[ CITATION Mub16 \l 1033 ].

According to [ CITATION Iva10 \l 1033 ]a person aged between 14 and 18

is a minor in accordance with the republic law of Bulgaria, lake of knowledge

and awareness as well as changing in spiritual values minors don’t have health

12
knowledge and experience in safe sex in Bulgaria over last decade and it leads

to many problems like early pregnancy, increasing abortion rate, children

abundant moved to institutions, increasing sexually transmitted diseases.

All the people under the age of 18 are adolescent. Globally the child

birth is the second leading cause of death among the babies and their underage

mothers, further they said that increasing the age will decrease the problems

and difficulties[ CITATION Wor1 \l 1033 ].

According to psychosocial theory of Erikson there are eight stages of

development, they start from birth and complete on the death, puberty and

adolescent (12-18) at 5 stage, he further added that if one stage of life is

complete and positive then second stage will be complete and positive, if any

stage of development could not clearly developed then automatically other

means next stage will be affected[ CITATION Mun75 \l 1033 ].

Underage marriages are the violation of all national and international laws for

the basic rights and needs of child and it is a very critical public health issue

for these underage parents, it resist a underage mother from getting education

and becoming productive citizen[ CITATION Set18 \l 1033 ].

According to[ CITATION İlt16 \l 1033 ] the risk of unwanted pregnancies

is higher for girls who have to get married at an early age, they do not know

enough about contraceptive methods, they are young women and early

pregnancy experience may not be a proper prenatal care service, and at this

stage pregnancy is a high risk for both them and the baby.

13
 The Malaysian Ministry of Health made the announcement in 2015,

there were about 18,000 adolescent pregnancies was recorded in Sarawak, it

was the second highest was recorded after Saba [ CITATION Sub \l 1033 ]. Many

physiological maturities leads by teenage pregnancy like more chances of

delivering low weight babies[ CITATION Sul13 \l 1033 ]. And hypertension

increased also due to pregnancy[ CITATION Ome10 \l 1033 ].

Adolescent pregnancy is a symbol of individual lack of success and

deviance [ CITATION Bre \l 1033 ].Teenage pregnancy is recognized as a

complex health and social problem in the most developed countries and

knowledge about its doctrines can result in effective prevention

strategies[ CITATION Rom97 \l 1033 ].

According to [ CITATION Ake14 \l 1033 ] adolescent pregnancy is a

health issue which affect individual, family and whole society, and such type

of pregnancy and have a baby at this underage is very close to face serious and

critical issues such as poverty, poor education and risky behaviors which leads

these adolescents to health issues and also effect on child’s well-being and

welfare.

Ineffectiveness is one of the main challenge faced by adolescent

mothers, don’t have proper skills and knowledge for adopting successful

maternal role and that’s why they depend on others, adolescent mothers have

lake of knowledge and their information isn’t suitable for taking

responsibilities for maternal and child care, teenagers has very limited skills

and experience even in some conditions complete unskilled in motherhood

14
such as parental care, breast feeding and child rearing[ CITATION Man17 \l

1033 ].

According to [ CITATION Pit142 \l 1033 ] adolescent motherhood

commonly defined as a pregnancy in a young girl who hasn’t crossed his

teenage until pregnancy ends, there may be different perspectives and

measurements in every country for knowing and understanding the legal age

of adult and usually we say that unmarried girls who become pregnant

unintentionally.

Underage motherhood is mostly connected with low education level,

low market and labor participation and low income (poverty). The poor, lower

class and poor income effect on both mother and child’s economic

wellbeing[ CITATION Pit13 \l 1033 ] . Changing from single individual to

motherhood is a very comprehensive event in the life of every women, but it

take to transition of education, work, citizenship and marriage that collectively

give skills, resources and social stock which are very essential for individual

to survive as parent[ CITATION Pit144 \l 1033 ]t.

According to[ CITATION Iva102 \l 1033 ] adolescents are not aware about

required knowledge for safe sex, that’s why accidents of absorption increased

on request and sexually transferable infections increased, many complication

takes place on adolescent’s pregnancy and child birth.

Having baby brings to changings for the lives of parents, apart from

previous feelings of enjoy and excitement, frustration and stress added, these

negative feelings increase in the result of need attention for the child include

exhausting and financial support[ CITATION Gic19 \l 1033 ].

15
 According to [ CITATION deA15 \l 1033 ] parenting means to do take care

of child, and adolescent mothers have low level of personal development

that’s why they may be expose to very dangerous risk, lack of competence in

mother for taking care of herself and her child leads to physical and

psychological abuse and personality development issues due to lack of

tolerance.

 Nowadays adolescent mothers cope with many difficulties for having

long term effects on women and her child, those preventions which sat for

adolescent mothers may decrease the harm in physical and mental health and

also suitable social status for new generation[ CITATION Mof02 \l 1033 ].

2.3 Conclusion

In this chapter of literature review I have read many previous

researches articles and books related to my topic , I found the gaps and blanks

about my topic, in literature review I got the knowledge about my topic and

understand my pattern by reading the previous literature, due to deep and

critical reading I understand that there are some gaps and spaces in previous

researches and articles and I focused on these gaps and blanks, in my literature

review mostly work done in other countries but also some articles found of

Pakistan, but these are less relevant to my topic, it needs to research very

deeply and critically.

16
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

3.1 Introduction

This chapter of methodology and methods discuss which methods and

methodological approach will be used in this study, research methodology is a

very essential and important for every research work which include area of

study, research design and data collection, the researcher will try to collect

and observe data in detail according to problems of underage mothers, the

researcher elaborated many previous studies related to his topic and knew the

situation and conditions regarding his study researcher will use qualitative

methodological approach for collecting data from selected area, in qualitative

methodological approach the researcher himself is first and basic tool and

technique for data collection and representation because qualitative research

always conducted through interviews

3.2 Research Methods

This is qualitative research that’s why researcher will take route of

interview method for collecting data about the topic “Social and psychological

problems of underage mothers”, qualitative research also consists on

observations, focused groups and documents. The data will be collected and

mentioned in this study will be derived from qualitative in-depth, semi-

structured interviews from all underage mothers of selected area, Interviews

from all experienced and knowledgeable people of the area, Interviews from

expertise of religious, culture and traditions. Detailed analysis of records by

lady health workers (LHW) and other health services in this area. Participants

will be connected through physical meetings and telephone appointments.

17
Interviews will be set according to the availability and free space of

participants.

3.3 Sampling

Non probability, convenience and judgmental or purposive sampling

techniques will be used for recruitment of participants and sample size will be

decided on the basis of database and practical considerations eg: resources and

probabilities, complete data will be collected and presented through this

sampling method from selected region for understanding the Social and

Psychological problems of underage mothers.

3.4 Sample Population

The researcher will focus particularly all underage girls who have got

married and became mothers at the age of under 18; The sample population

will be these underage mothers.

3.5 Research Design

The researcher will use descriptive interview design which will

elaborate and explain the conditions and situations of underage mothers,

instruments needed for data collection through interview method and analysis

will be used, this study will set out to find out the factors which contribute to

create social and psychological problems of underage mothers, this study will

use qualitative research methodology during data collection and analysis.

3.6 Conclusion

In this chapter researcher gave introduction and described

methodology and methods will be used in this study, qualitative methodology

will be used for data collection and analysis, mention which type of sampling

18
will be chosen for data collection in this study, research design and sample

population is also addressed in this chapter.

19
 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYZE

4.1 Themes

4.1.1 Physical growth/ Condition

Participant # 01

I was very healthy and physically fit before marriage and now became

weak and unfit due to kids and motherhood, my height stopped and weight

decreased, my kids are also weak and low weight.

Participant # 02

I was very weak and thin at the time of marriage as same as today I am

, couldn’t change my physical conditions even after marriage, because my

parents are very poor and couldn’t afford healthy diet but after marriage my

diet changed but until condition is same or even decreasing day by day.

Participant # 03

I was physically fit in height and weight but I lost my previous energy

and stamina of doing work and playing games etc after marriage, continucely

rearing of children and households I remained tired and feeling sleepy every

time, also lost my previous physical standard and condition.

Participant # 04

20
 Physically changed and disturbed after marriage and giving birth to a

baby because I couldn’t give birth normally but through operation and stopped

my physical growth and now I cannot maintain my physical condition and

cannot give complete breast feed to my baby that’s why he is also weak and

unhealthy.

Participant# 05

I am herditically small in height but I became very fate after marriage

and giving to birth a baby due to healthy diet and fast food but I became

patient of blood pressure and digestion is disturbed that’s why I cannot fulfill

my households and kids caring and rearing.

4.1.2 Social relationship

Participant # 01

Becoming mother is an breakthrough from previous life for me like

everyone I was also free from every tension and work or responsibility but

after marriage or become mother of a baby relationship status changed.

Participant # 02

I was free at my parents’ home, free to go with friends, cousins and

neighbors for picnicking and entertainment and free from every type of work

after marriage became bounded.

Participant # 03

21
 Socially disconnected from parents and siblings due to their attitudes

and morals the husband’s family do not give permission to meet with parents

and siblings.

Participant # 04

Due to baby and husband’s responsibilities I cannot interact with other

family members and and neighbors because I remain every time busy in

performing the duties of being a wife and being a mother.

Participant # 05

My social relation relationships totally changed as compare to previous

life and due to manmade traditions of our society after getting married and

became mother we cannot keep social relationship with others as we used to

do before.

4.1.3 Child rearing and caring

Participant # 01

I didn’t know how to feed milk to baby and how to give him proper

bad and rest because I was also in underage and at that time I could not

understand the instructions of elders that do like that or this way my level was

not of becoming mother .

Participant # 02

22
 I was little bit aware about rearing and caring of child but due to

weakness I could not make me able to take care and rear of child.

Participant # 03

I lost my energy and stamina of work due to pregnancy and light diet

and could not afford such energy to take care of my child and husband’s work.

Participant # 04

I couldn’t be able to give breast feed to my child which is the first and

necessary diet for every child that’s why my child is weak, due to operation I

was not able to keep clean and fresh my child I suffer many difficulties as well

as my baby also.

Participant # 05

I became sick after giving a birth to a child and it was very difficult to

rear and care of my child , surely parents of my husband helped me in that

situation but every time they were not free for me and my child’s help because

they had to work of house and cattle.

4.1.4 Depression

Participant # 01

I was totally confused and become depressed when I got pregnant that

what will happen?

Participant # 02

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 My life disturbed due to weakness and having all responsibilities of

whole house and my child create further difficulties in performing work of

house and that’s why I remained every time in tension that any one will say

something.

Participant # 03

Continuously pregnancy after pregnancy along with other

responsibilities make me depressed and confused that what I have to do or

when I have to do ?.

Participant # 04

I am until in tension due to my seizer that can I perform all household

tasks because in households there may be heavy things have to carry and shift

from one place to another.

Participant # 05

I became depressed due to breakdown of my previous life, enjoyment

and entertainment, previous family, previous friends and freedom, until my

heart wants to return to me that previous life but it is impossible.

4.1.5 Maternal mortality

Participant # 01 & 05

I know very well that how much is this process of pregnancy, delivery

and motherhood, I survived but many here reach at the death level.

Participant # 02

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 I lost my first baby due to underage and weakness and fortunately I

remain safe but it is very stick time specially those who are under eighteen.

Participant # 03 & 04

It is the tough exam for female to give birth to a baby and rear first

time along with households.

4.1.6 Hypertension

The researcher conduct many interviews from selected area and

noticed from views of respondents that during pregnancy mostly women

become hyper as compare to previous life or bear level decreased and

hypertension increased, it increased due to decreased energy and stamina,

mainly in those women who are physically week and thin found during data

collection, in this theme of data collection the researcher mentioned manually

because all respondents give their ideas mostly same.

4.1.6 Isolation

In this theme respondents gave almost same ideas except participant

05, they said during pregnancy we feel loneliness more as compare to normal

life may be it is our thinking or it is a reality but we think like that because in

these days we emotionally became week and we think others don’t have any

care of us specially of male partner means husband, and due to that thinking

we become isolate and it is proves dangerous for us men mother and child, in

this condition child may be born mentally abnormal.

Participant # 05

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 I don’t feel that type of isolation and loneliness, my husband and my

family gave proper time during my pregnancy and after birth of baby.

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27
 CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

In this research about “social and psychological problems of underage

mothers” through deep literature review and data collection from mentioned

area at Tharparkar the researcher find the problems and challenges happening

with underage mothers, there main problems and challenges are the physical

growth, social relationship, standard of living, difficulties to rear and care of

child due to underage, depression, maternal mortality, hypertension and

isolation, these found common in all respondents because there are many girls

are getting marriage at the age of 13-14 and it is the main reason of such social

and psychological problems, because it is the age of every child to play, enjoy

and free from every responsibility even they are not able to face such heavy

tasks and responsibilities, and they are afraid of unknown destiny that what

will happen in our married life and after giving birth to baby, when they gave

interviews many of them psychologically were disturbed.

The researcher conclude that underage mothers passing from very hard period

of lives, there are many reason behind this underage marriage, the first and

main thing is unawareness among the youngsters, they don’t know all aspects

and responsibilities of marriage and being parent only they know and

interested in sex even they don’t know about family planning only they want

sex, they pressurize parents to do marriage and after few days females get

pregnant and real story starts mainly for female, religious and cultural

traditions are also involved in this practice of adolescent marriage and

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pregnancy, people until obey old tradition that my grandparents used to do

these things in such way that’s why we must have to do, religious is not a

wrong tradition but the teachers and instructors of religious don’t deliver

everything in the correct way as religious says, there everyone made their own

sect and system and applying their manmade traditions and practices in society

and underage marriage is also among them.

5.2 Discussion

In this research the researcher measured data through interviews

among many underage mothers and discuss with all community members

about the situation of that problem, the mostly researcher observed the ratio of

physical growth and condition, depression, hypertension and child rearing and

caring problems are very common to every underage mothers, main reasons

and causes of underage marriage are discussed above but in addition poverty

also play major role in these all social and psychological problems of every

individual specifically the partners of underage girls are the unemployed

mostly and they cannot fulfill the basic needs of their wives and children, then

it is very difficult to give them extra things on their will or desire to their

wives and cannot afford proper dressings and toys for kids, that’s why kids are

less confident as compare to rich people, mothers become psychologically

depressed and shameful that I wish I have these cloths or other things, socially

they cannot be the part of all ceremonies in which all rich people attend, this

is also the main reason behind the social and psychological problems of

underage mothers.

The researcher discuss the problem with lady health workers of that

area, same things they also make me noticed and told complete knowledge

29
about the age and pregnancy of area’s women and they are trying to decrease

the ratio of underage marriage and pregnancy.

5.3 Recommendation

1. First of all Government have to be active in implementing the laws

and legislation regarding protection of underage marriage, because there are

many laws and acts are formed for the protection of underage marriages, like

Sindh Child Act 2013, CRC (convention for the rights of child), UDHR

(Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and PPC (Pakistan Penal Code).

2. Second all the educated and acknowledged people must have to give

proper awareness about the laws and legislation about underage marriages and

disadvantages of underage marriages to individual, group and whole

communities. Because in every community educated people are available.

3 Religious scholars have to research religious very carefully first and

then must have to deliver things as these are mentioned in religious.

4. Teachers, scholars and social workers must have addressed the

disadvantages of old negative traditions and try to make motivate people to

stop these nonsense activities which are harmful for the society.

5. In last parents can play a major role in teaching their children and

make them aware for avoiding immature marriages and try to give them

education both girls and boys.

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31
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