Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the experiences  of teenage mothers with unwanted pregnancies, in the context of gender-power relations within the patriarchal capitalist system, using a socialist feminist perspective. Qualitative research methods were used with 10 teenage mothers who cared for their own child. The findings were ; The unwanted pregnancy was caused by sexual intercourse with a boyfriend or restaurant customer who deceived or co-erced the teenager into having sex. The decision stage led to the unwanted pregnancy. The young women felt pressure to choose between abortion or continued pregnancy and finally to giving birth. Most of all  pregnant teens choose to abort by themselves by traditional oral medicines, and some search for an illegal abortion service but could not find one or were to late in their pregnancy. After giving birth and caring for their children, they had no freedom in life because they were mainly responsible for care of the child. They suffered and felt tired from caring for their child and doing all the housework, and they could not go to school or work. So, the teen moms lacked power to negotiate anything in the household and had to depend on their husband because they had no a paid work, and did not have money or economic power. Conclusion were the teenage pregnancy is forced to tall under voluntary control for selecting motherhood. No teenage pregnancies need to be a real mother, but they have to agree to be a mother; they are aborting unsuccessful. Being motherhood because they are afraid of abortion. And they was force to have pregnant by the man who is the father of the children and the relatives.

Keywords : Unwanted pregnancy, Feminist perspective, Teen mother, Women study,      Patriarchal Capitalism