Stigma of Adolescent Pregnancy and Motherhood in Bolivia

Abstract: Stigma of pregnant and mothering adolescents is linked to socially constructed gender roles and sexual identities, ideals of motherhood, and stigma of adolescent sexual activity. As such, it constitutes an adolescent sexual and reproductive health issue. It is a contributing factor to several negative consequences related to adolescent pregnancy, such as advert health outcomes, lower educational attainment, and reduced social participation. Despite this, limited research exists on the topic. This study investigates stigma among pregnant and mothering adolescents in Bolivia by using Pryor and Reeder’s (2011) model of four manifestations of stigma. Through a qualitative case study set in Cochabamba, in-depth interviews with 16 young women were used to understand experiences of public stigma and self-stigma due to adolescent pregnancy and motherhood. The main findings suggest that adolescents who are in a relationship experience less public and self-stigma, and that stigmatising treatments are experienced both within family and in public spaces, although public stigma from family seem to have more negative effects in adolescents. Additionally, processes of self-stigma were evident through adolescents’ endorsement of public stigma, and experiences of guilt and embarrassment. These feelings were often intensified if adolescents experienced or anticipated stigmatising treatments of people closely associated with them.