Gender and Society

Lesson 1
Sex
-one’s biological identity -- male and female (Duka et al, p222
-biological dimension of your gender and sexuality
-also referred as “biological sex or physical sex”
-generally pertains to your identity depending on your sexual anatomy and
physiology

Reproduction
- the process or ability to create an offspring

Hermaphroditism
-cases when the baby's genitals appear to be a conglomerate of male and
female organs such that it may be difficult to classify the baby's sex without
further examination
-from Hermes --Greek god and Aphrodite - female goddess
-Intersexuality (in modern times)
-common on snails and worms

Chromosomes
-the protein structures which contain your generic materials
-used to determine sex
-XY sex chromosomes is said to be a male
-XX sex chromosomes is said to be a female

The level of some hormones - the chemicals in our body that are responsible for
sustaining bodily processes - are also used as markers. For example, human males
tend to have higher levels of testosterone, which is associated to sex drive and
aggression. On the other hand, human females tend to have higher level of
estrogen and progesterone, which is associated to lactation and other female
reproductive functions.

Gender
-an individual's personal, internal sense of maleness or femaleness that is
expressed in personality behavior.
-It is the outward manifestation and expression of one's maleness or
femaleness in a social setting (Duka et al, p.222)
-social dimension of one's sexuality
 Sexuality
- expression of sexual receptivity or interest especially when excessive
- sexual activity or attraction

Heteronormativity
-phenomenon of determining the normality of a behavior based on whether it
conforms or not to the expectations relative to one's biological sex

In the Filipino culture, girls are expected to have certain characteristics of being
gentle, caring, and loving while boys are encouraged to be strong, rough, and
assertive. These expectations also extend to how men and women are expected to
behave, the college courses they take, and the jobs the apply to.
Social and cultural practices change through time. Just 60 years ago, women could
not ear pants with social disapproval, and now wearing pants is already an accepted
fashion trend among people of different genders. How we expressed our gender is
largely based on our social and cultural setting. Most are comfortable with their sex
and gender; men who are masculine and women who are feminine. Each culture also
has different standards on how to be a man and a woman and how they should
present themselves according to their sex and gender.

Gender Identity
-the aspect of our gender on how see and experience ourselves as a man, a
woman, or neither.

Transgender
- cases wherein a person’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity
-may undergo gender reassignment surgery to align their physical characteristics
to their gender identity
- However, due to many factors such as belief systems, culture, and economics,
some do not opt for surgery

Sexuality/Sexual Orientation
-aspect of gender pertains to our sexual attraction to a person
-about your sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviors towards other
people.

According to the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), typically at the

age of 6 or 8, we experience of develop attraction to other people. By adolescence, we
already know who we are attracted to and would experiment through dating and
relationship. Everyone's sexuality is different and deeply personal. Our capacity for
emotional and sexual attraction is diverse and complex.
 Heterosexuals/Straight
-People who are attracted to the opposite sex

Homosexual
-People who are attracted to people of the same sex

Bisexual/Bi
-people are attracted to both sexes, male or female

LGBT
-refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community

Pansexual
-people who are attracted to any gender

Asexual
-people who do not experience sexual attraction
-'ace' for short
-Asexuality is not a choice, like abstinence (where someone chooses not to
have sex with anyone, whether they are attracted to them or not).

Asexuality is a sexual orientation, like homosexuality or heterosexuality. Some people

may strongly identify with being asexual, except for a few infrequent experiences of
sexual attraction (grey-asexuality). Some people feel sexual attraction only after
they develop a strong emotional bond with someone (this is known as
demisexuality). Other people experience asexuality in a range of other ways.

Appreciating Diversity
According to the American Psychological Association (APA),
nature (environment) and nurture (heredity) play a complex role in shaping
our sexual orientation. Homosexuality and heterosexuality are part of human
sexuality and is large part of human experience. Identifying as a
heterosexual, lesbian, bi, gay or transgender is a deeply personal process, so
it may be more difficult for others to come out or for them to become
comfortable enough with their sexuality that they feel safe
 Lesson 2
Society
-has progressed so much in a way that information and knowledge is available to
everyone. This gives us opportunity to examine our social and political conditions
in more detail than when information was scarce and limited to only a few
individual.

Historical Accounts
-show that across time, humans' conception of gender and sexuality has also
changed.

Archaeological Artifacts
-reveal that in the distant past, during the dawn of civilizations, human societies
have high regard for women.

Divine Feminine
-the sacredness of the woman due to her ability to conceive children) has
prevailed, and thus, women are treated equally with men.

Egalitarian
-men and women have equitable power and roles

Paternity
-fatherhood/role of the father in conception

Agricultural Era
-when societies began to establish communities and tame cattle and stocks, have
also changed how societies have viewed women and men therefrom.

Productive Sphere
-world of public works

Reproductive Affairs
-world of the home and related task such as suckling the young, child rearing, and
home management

Industrial Era
-where factors were built and men were preferred because they did not have to
bear children for nine months and because of their perceived physical strength.
 Patriarchy
-a system based on the control and oppression of women wherein they
are perceived to be the weaker sex. It is a structure that upholds male
supremacy in the law, home, in the work place, and in society.
Patriarchy is from the Greek word "Patriarches" which means "the rule of the
father." It is a social system where men primarily holds power in political and
economic sphere. This means that in the social system, society is organized and
maintained in a way that men rule over women and their children. In the social,
legal, political, and economic spheres, men are expected to lead while women are
expected to obey and are relegated to house chores, bearing children, and child
care.

Patrilineal
-a society often follow a patriarchal society, this means only men can inherit
property and the family name.
Women were left with no inheritance and are expected to marry a man who can
support her economically. In fact, women were not allowed to go to school, or even
vote, because they were viewed as a weaker sex, and should not concern
themselves in learning science or politics. Women had to fight for the right to
vote, to go to school, and even participates in politics.
Patriarchy is viewed by most sociologists as a social construct and not as
biological phenomenon. This is because history proves that in the prehistoric
hunter-gatherer tribes and civilization, they prioritized equality of all members,
male and female. History suggests an egalitarian system rather than patriarchal
system. Men and women contribute to society and they enjoy the same social
status.

Friedrich Engels
-a German philosopher and sociologist, argues that patriarchy came about when
people started having a private property instead of a communal living.

The development in agriculture and domestication of animals led to creating product

surplus which allows people to have private property. As a way to control the excess
wealth generated by these advancement, male dominance was asserted over women so
only the male heir can inherit family wealth.
 Some Historical Views on Gender

In ancient Greece. Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek philosophers viewed

women as the inferior sex and are properties of men whose only job was to
obey their husband, bear children and take care of the household. They were
forbidden to learn philosophy, politics, and science.

While during the ancient Egypt, Herodotus, a Greek historian observed that
Egyptian civilization, citing that Egyptian women enjoyed higher status that
Greek women because they can inherit property and engage in trade and
politics. However Greel influence quickly spread in Egypt through the conquest
of Alexander the Great across Asia and Africa.

In ancient China, Confucianism has stringent written rules that dictate how
women should conduct themselves. The written documents entitled "Three
Obedience's and Four Virtues" and "Precepts of Women" states that women
should obey their father, when married she is to obey her husband, and when
widowed she is to obey her son.

In ancient patriarchal societies, gendered biases were very strict, heavily

enforced and often violent. Imagine not being able to go to school just
because you are a women, not being able to express your opinion on important
matters even when it concern your future, and not being able to say no to any
man.

PATRIARCHY SUBTLE FORMS OF OPPRESSION

THAT GO UNNOTICED:
-sexism-prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination based on sex;
-gender pay gap men earn more than women under representation in politics,
military,executive positions
-rape on women and the stigma making women ashamed to report the crime;
-very conservative expectations on women on how they behave:
-unrealistic depiction of women in fiction, often very sexualized;
-women do more housework and child care; boys were trained to be leaders
while women were trained to do house chores
 WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Women's Liberation Movement, Women's movement, of feminism is a

continuing series of social movement that aim to challenge the patriarchal
society that creates these oppressive political structures, beliefs, and practices
against women. It started at different decade in different countries, some are
far more advance in their struggle while others are still starting a movement.
During the 19th and early 20th century, the first wave of feminism spread
across the western countries as women demanded for their rights to vote or
participate in elections and be able to legally own a property.
In France, Simon de Beauvoir wrote a book entitled "The Second Sex"in
1949. It outlined how the patriarchal society disadvantaged women by slowly
raising her into submission and hindering their productivity and happiness by
relegating them to house cleaning. This inspired many women to write and speak
their truths, such as Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystic, 1963), Kate Miller
(Sexual Politics, 1969), and Germaine Greer (The Female Eunuch, 1970).
Beauvoir's book was instrumental in awakening women about their plight as the
"wife-servant" to their husbands in her famous quote “one is not born, but
rather becomes, a woman."

Le Mouvement de Liberation des Femmes or the

Women's Liberation Movement
-was formed in Europe and they sought the right to education, right to work, and
right to vote in the 1940s.
-Later they also won women's right to decide on their own bodies and their
sexualities.
-This liberation movement views the intersectionality of economic status or class
to patriarchy.

19 and early 20 century

- the first wave of feminism spread across the western countries as women
demanded for their rights to vote or participate in elections and be able to
legally own a property.

Inspired by Beauvoir's book, second wave feminism in 1960s through the 80s,
women drew attention to various social and cultural inequalities such as domestic
violence especially marital rape, reproductive rights, wage inequality, and others. The
90s gave birth to the 34 wave and 2012 started the 4th wave. These movements
only show that there is still much to be done for women's right.
 Report from the UN states that "women perform 66 percent of the world
works, produce 50 percent of the food, but earn 10 percent of the income and
own one percent of the property. This is because in the agricultural countries, women
participate in making the produce, but only the father or the male head of the family
controls the income. To put simply, feminism demands equality.

Salient Points that Feminist Demands:

1. Women Suffrage-women were not allowed to vote because they were viewed
as irrational and temperamental and therefore, not able to make rational
decisions. This perception was changed after World War I (1914-1918) wherein
women were uprooted from the household. They took on jobs and made
significant contributions to their country. Many countries soon started letting
women vote since they can no longer argue that women are "irrational and
temperamental."

2. Equality in politics and society- for hundred of years, women voices were
silenced, so society must make an effort to restore their rights.
Representation is very important for women, so that their genuine concerns are
heard in politics and in society. Feminist have always criticized that old,
privilege men always make decisions for women at home and in politics.

3. Reproductive rights-means the woman is in control of her body, and she can
decide for herself on what she sees is best for her. Contraception, abortion
and other reproductive options should be available to women because it is their
body.

4. Domestic violence- such as marital rape and physical abuse are often
dismissed by society as part of a marriage. Although we have RA 9262 (Anti
Violence Against Women and their Children) our culture still dismiss such
incidents as "away mag-asawa."

5. Sexual harassment and sexual violence- The Center for Women's

Resources in the Philippines estimates that one woman or child is raped every
hour mostly by someone they know.

6. Other rights include the right to divorce their husband, the right to
make decision on her pregnancy, equitable wages, and equal employment.
 Summary

Recognizing patriarchy in the simple things we do is very important for us

to identify these instances to change it. Even the simplest acts that are
seemingly harmless can be analyzes and seen as a way to force women into
submission and compliance. That is the power of putting labels on oppressive
acts, and you can call it out and stop it.
Feminism gained women access to education, the right to vote, the right to
work, take control of their reproduction, and the right to say no instead of
just obeying. However, there is still much to be done for gender equality.
You can help in making the world better place for women by
learning to respect and recognizing that women deserve the same rights
as men-that women are not to be treated as the weaker sex or the submissive
sec, but rather as an equal.
Also, use gender neutral language that is nor sexist: humanity
instead of mankind, the unsteady of he, to emphasize inclusion. You can also
counter gendered metaphors by vocally criticizing its oppressive nature such
as: the aggressive sperm and the passive e.g., babe kase, lalake kase, etc. you
can also advocate for laws and policies that would empower women.
You do not have to be a woman to understand that everyone must be
treated with the same respect and that everyone is free and equal in dignity
and in rights.

Lesson 3
Introduction
The Philippine being a State Party to the UN Convention on the
Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women which it signed on
July 15, 1980 and ratified on August 5, 1981 is obligated to pursue and
implement programs, projects, and activities that will contribute to the
achievement of women empowerment and gender equality.
It is in this light that it is imperative to establish the legal basis why
Gender and Society is included in the curriculum. The following are the legal
basis as to why Gender and Development is is included in the curriculum of the
Commission on Higher Education.
 I. CHED Memo Order No. 1
-This is an order Establishing the Policies and Guidelines on Gender and
Development in the Commission on Higher Education and Higher Education
Institutions. The CMO requires all higher education institutions (HEIS) to
establish a GAD Focal Point System 90 days after its effectivity.
The CMO identifies four main areas of the university that should be gender
responsive:
1. Administration,
2. curriculum,
3. research and
4. extension programs.
The HEI administration should review policies, standards and guidelines 90
days from the date of the CMO's effectivity.

II. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
-women's bill of rights
-one of the core international mainstream gender in all higher education
institutions, private and public, nationwide.
-CEDAW was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 19,
1979, coming into force as a treaty on December 3, 1981. Today, it is one
of the most broadly endorsed human rights treaties - it has been ratified or
acceded to by 187 countries to date, or about 90 per cent of the UN
membership.

How is CEDAW Different from Other International Human Rights Treaties?

-CEDAW is exclusively devoted to gender equality, one of the key elements of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
-It is in CEDAW that the specifics of women's human right to equality and non-
discrimination are spelled out in detail, and the broad range of actions that must be
taken to achieve this equality are mapped out.
-It is also in CEDAW that the nature and meaning of sex-based discrimination and
gender equality is most clearly articulated.
Why is CEDAW Important?
CEDAW provides a complete definition of sex-based discrimination
-described as any distinction, exclusion, or restriction on the basis of sex, which
intentionally or unintentionally nullifies or impairs the recognition, enjoyment
and exercise of women's social, cultural, political and economic rights.
CEDAW takes a concrete and three-dimensional view of equality
-it is based on the principle of "substantive equality", or "equality of results"
between men and women. This goes beyond equality of opportunity, and the wording
used in laws, to looking at the actual condition of women's lives as the true measure
of whether equality has been achieved.
CEDAW legally binds all States Parties to fulfill, protect and respect
women's human rights
-this means that States are responsible not just for their own actions, but also for
eliminating discrimination that is being perpetrated by private individuals and
organizations. Gender inequalities must be addressed at all levels and in all spheres,
including the family, community, market and state.
CEDAW recognizes that discrimination is often most deeply rooted in
spheres of life such as culture, family and interpersonal relations
-it addresses the negative impact of gender stereotyping, working on the
fundamental premise that unless change takes place at those levels efforts to
achieve gender equality will be frustrated.

What is the Definition of Discrimination Against Women?

-Article 1 of the Convention provides the definition of discrimination against
women:
"For the purposes of the present Convention, the term "discrimination against
women" shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex
which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of
equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."
-This definition includes not just direct or intentional discrimination, but any act
that has the effect of creating or perpetuating inequality between men and women.
 III.1987 Philippine Constitution
The 1987 Constitution states two prominent provisions.
The first in the Declaration of Principles Article II Section 14, which
asserted that "The State recognizes the role of women in nation-
building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
women and men."
Article XIII-Labor: Section 14 provided that "The state shall protect
working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions
taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to
realize their full potential in the service of the nation".
Following from constitutional provisions and the subsequent efforts to
broaden its principles, numerous legislation were enacted that relates to
the various aspects of women and gender concerns including the Gender
and Development Law requiring 5% of the government agencies' budget is
for gender concerns. Further, Gender and Development (GAD) Framework
and Mainstreaming have been initiated.
The GAD approach seeks to promote equitable and sustainable
development by changing unequal gender relations between men and
women. This GAD approach addresses not only the practical needs of both
sexes but to improve their conditions, but also more importantly, women's
strategic needs.
Mainstreaming of GAD is a strategy for development that ensures that the
processes, practices and policies of an organization, program or project
are responsive to gender issues and women's concerns.

IV. Republic Act 7192

Republic Act 7192: Women in Development and Nation Building Act. AN
ACT PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF WOMEN AS FULL AND
EQUAL PARTNERS OF MEN IN DEVELOPMENT AND NATION
BUILDING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. RA 7192 Declaration of Policy.
The State recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of women and men. The State shall
provide women rights and opportunities equal to that of men.
To attain the foregoing policy:
(1) A substantial portion of official development assistance funds received
from foreign governments and multilateral agencies and organizations shall be
set aside and utilized by the agencies concerned to support programs and
activities for women;
(2) All government departments shall ensure that women benefit equally and
participate directly in the development programs and projects of said
department, specifically those funded under official foreign development
assistance, to ensure the full participation and involvement of women in the
development process; and
(3) All government departments and agencies shall review and revise all their
regulations, circulars, issuances and procedures to remove gender bias
therein.
What is the purpose of RA 7192?
The intent of the Act is to promote the integration of women as full and equal
partners with men in development and nation building.
Who is the Author of RA 7192?
Dr. Santanina Tillah Rasul authored RA 7192 that sought to remove all
vestiges of gender discrimination; opened the doors of the Philippine Military
Academy (PMA) to women; automatically allocated annually the Gender
Development Budget (GAD) in all government offices; and established
women's desks in all National Government.

V. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action or BPFA is a landmark
document for advancing the rights of women and gender equality
worldwide agreed during the 4th World Conference on women in 1995
declaring "to advance the goals of equality, development, and peace for
all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity. In 1995, 189
governments were joined by 17,000 participants and 30,000 non-
governmental activists in Beijing for the opening of the Fourth World
Conference on Women.
For two weeks, government representatives worked on producing a document
of agreed written targets towards achieving gender equality. Meanwhile,
the non-governmental activists followed the process closely and reviewed,
rebuked, or supported, suggestions as they were made. Through their
lobbying efforts, civil society applied pressure on governments to make
meaningful commitments, ones which would ensure gender equity across all
domains, for all individuals. The outcome of this momentous conference was
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA).
 The document identifies 12 critical areas of concern. "In each critical area
of concern, the problem is diagnosed and strategic objectives are
proposed with concrete actions to be taken by various actors in order to
achieve those objectives" (BPfA). In this way, the BPFA becomes a
comprehensive guide to understanding and combating the key barriers to
gender equality.

The twelve critical areas of concern are as follows:

-Women and the environment
-Women in power and decision-making
-The girl child
-Women and the economy
-Women and poverty
-Violence against women
-Human rights of women
-Education and training of women
-Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women
-Women and health
Women and the media
-Women and armed conflict
Have the Goals of BPFA Been Met?
Twenty-five years after the adoption of BPFA, more women and girls have
access to free, quality education, awareness and action against gender-
based violence is improving, and we are seeing a gradual increase in
women in positions of power and decision-making. However, no country has
achieved complete equality for women and girls. Even in regions that are
close to achieving gender equality in law, the lived reality falls short.

VI. Republic Act 9710

Republic Act 9710 is the Magna Carta of Women. The Magna Carta of
Women is "comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to
eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling
and promoting the rights of Filipino women", especially those in marginalized
sector.
Declaration of Policy
Recognizing that the economic, political, and sociocultural realities affect
women's current condition, the State affirms the role of women in nation
building and ensures the substantive equality of women and men. It shall
promote empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for women
and men and ensure equal access to resources and to development results
and outcome. Further, the State realizes that equality of men and women
entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that
perpetuate discrimination and inequality. To realize this, the State shall
endeavor to develop plans, policies, programs, measures, and mechanisms
to address discrimination and inequality in the economic, political, social,
and cultural life of women and men.
The State condemns discrimination against women in all its forms and
pursues by all appropriate means and without delay the policy of eliminating
discrimination against women in keeping with the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other
international instruments consistent with Philippine law. The State shall
accord women the rights, protection, and opportunities available to every
member of society.

Definition of Terms
(a) "Women Empowerment" refers to the provision, availability, and
accessibility of opportunities, services, and observance of human rights
which enable women to actively participate and contribute to the political,
economic, social, and cultural development of the nation as well as those which
shall provide them equal access to ownership, management, and control of
production, and of material and informational resources and benefits in the
family, community, and society.
(b) "Discrimination Against Women" refers to any gender-based distinction,
exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or
nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective
of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of
human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social,
cultural, civil, or any other field. It includes any act or omission, including
by law; policy, administrative measure, or practice, that directly or
indirectly excludes or restricts women in the recognition and promotion of
their rights and their access to and
enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges.
 Lesson 4
Introduction
Although human beings are fully differentiated at birth, the differences
between males and females are accentuated during puberty. This is when the
reproductive system matures, secondary sexual characteristics develop, and
the bodies of males and females appear more distinctive. Female puberty
usually begins at about 8-13 years of age; the reproduction maturation of
boys lags about two years behind that of girls. The physical changes of
female puberty include breast development, rounding of the hips and
buttocks, growth of the hair in the pubic region and the underarm, and the
start of menstruation for female.

Ovulation
How does one ovulate? The major major landmark of puberty among females
is the onset of menstrual cycle, the monthly ovulation cycle that leads to
menstruation (loss of blood and tissue lining of the uterus) in the absence of
pregnancy. The menstrual cycle is from the first day of a period until the day
before the next period starts. Normally it lasts around 28 days, on the
average, but can be as short as 21 or as long as 40 days. Whatever the
length, ovulation will happen about 10-16 days before the start of the next
period.

Pregnancy
How does pregnancy occur?
For pregnancy to proceed, the sperm need to meet up with an egg.
Pregnancy officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of
the uterus. Pregnancy happens 2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.

Conception is the process that begins with the fertilization of an egg by

the sperm and ends with implantation. When a male and a female have a
sexual intercourse, the penis fits into the woman's vagina. Ejaculation or
coming releases the sperm via the penis into the vagina. The sperm swims
through the female's cervix, into the womb, and finally into the fallopian
tubes. Once the egg or ovum has been released into the fallopian tube, millions
of sperm swim up to reach it. Finally, the sperm penetrates the egg in the
fallopian tube where fertilization takes place and eventually, becomes an
embryo. Once the embryo (fertilized egg) attaches to the inner lining of the
uterus (endothelium), a fetus develops within 5 to 7 days from a ball of cells
floating in the uterus, which officially begins pregnancy.
 A normal pregnancy lasts 37-42 weeks (nine months). This is measured
from the first day of the last period. Pregnancy is discussed in terms of
trimesters (three-month period), since each trimester is very different
from the rest. After eight weeks, the embryo is officially referred to as
a fetus.

Teenage Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy has a tremendous impact on the educational, social, and
economic lives of young people. Early parenting reduces the likelihood that a
young woman will complete high school and pursue the necessary post-
secondary education needed to compete in today's economy. Although
there is a decline in teenage pregnancy rates it has been steady over the past
two decades. Teens are still engaging in sexual activity and teen girls are still
getting pregnant.
Equipping the youth with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to
protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy and provide them access to
reproductive healthcare are needed. The chart shows the most common
contraception methods used to prevent pregnancy. Some of the methods are
intrusive in nature and have side effects that may be harmful. The user must
examine its pros and cons before making a choice.

Chart for Contraception

Health Effects of Early Pregnancy in the Growing
Adolescence
There are serious health risks associated with early pregnancy because a
young woman's body is not mature enough to handle bearing a child. When a
woman is under 20, the pelvic area (the bone surrounding the birth canal)
is still growing and may not be large enough to allow the baby to easily
pass through the birth canal. This can result in what is called an
"obstructed labor".

Obstructed labor is dangerous to both mother and child and requires the
help of trained medical professionals. Under the best circumstances the
young woman will have an operation called a "caesarean section" in which a
cut is made in the abdomen and the baby is removed directly from the
uterus.

A major contributor to high mortality rates in adolescence pregnancy. If a

young woman is not physically mature, the uterus may tear during the
birth process, and she may die because of blood loss. If she is lucky and
survives the delivery, she might face fistula (an abnormal connection
between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another
structure) due to prolonged labor. A baby's head can also tear the vagina
causing a hole between the vagina and bladder or between the vagina and the
rectum resulting to fistula. Unless she has an operation to fix her problem,
for the rest of her life, she will not be able to hold her urine or feces and
this will will make her a social outcast.

In addition, younger women who become pregnant face a higher risk than
older women in developing a number of other complications.
These complication be any or a combination of the following
manifestations:
- excessive vomiting
- severe anemia
- hypertension
- convulsion
- difficulty in breast feeding (if the girl is too young to produce milk)
- premature and low birth weight babies
- Infection
-prolonged labor
-high mortality or death.
 The risk of having a serious complications during pregnancy or childbirth is
much higher for girls in their early teen than for older women. Ages 20-30
years are the safest period of women's life for child bearing. The major
difference between girls in their early teens and older women is that girls
aged 12-16 years are still growing. The pelvis, or the bony birth canal,
of a girl can grow wider by as much as 20% between the time she begins
menstruating and the time she is 16 old. This widening of the pelvis can
make the crucial difference between safe delivery and obstructed labor. It is
not surprising, therefore, to find that obstructed labor, due to disproportion
between the size of the infant's head and the mother's pelvis is most common
among very young mothers. The consequences of such obstructed labor may
be death due to complications or lifetime crippling condition of versico-
vaginal fistula (a hole that develops between the vagina and the bladder,
resulting in uncontrollable leaking of urine through the vagina.)

Summary
Reproduction involves the ovary and the sperm to fuse. Their union can
lead to the creation of a new life through pregnancy. This has explored the
process of pregnancy and the changes that happen during pregnancy. We have
discussed the various ways of preventing pregnancy so that the growing
adolescent would be empowered to choose to avert from early pregnancy that
can lead to various life-threatening complications.