Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Teens pregnancy not only impacts the mother and child's health but also has significant social and economic effects on society as a whole. There are different contexts in which Canadian teens get pregnant, with some teens intentionally choosing to get pregnant. This sub-group of teenage pregnancy has not been well studied and may require public health interventions specifically targeted to their needs. In this study I will explore the contextual influences (social, historical, cultural, economic, religious) of three distinct Canadian sub-populations of young mothers who chose to get pregnant as a late teen. The project will involve interviews, archival documents, field notes, and the use of arts-based material. By learning about the experiences and contextual influences of Canadian teen girls who intentionally chose pregnancy, this study will be able to guide teen pregnancy-related public health strategies and programs.