Teen Pregnancy

CURRENT VOICES OF FORMER TEEN MOTHERS:
CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTS TO PARENTING






Debra G. Kahan


B.S.W., California State University, Sacramento, 2008







PROJECT





Submitted in partial satisfaction of
the requirements for the degree of






MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK


at



CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO





SPRING
2010CURRENT VOICES OF FORMER TEEN MOTHERS:
CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTS TO PARENTING



A Project


by


Debra G. Kahan












Approved by:


__________________________________, Committee Chair
Ronald Boltz


____________________________
Date















Student: Debra G. Kahan


I certify that this student has met the requirements for format containedin the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the Project.




_______________________________, Graduate Coordinator ________________
Teiahsha Bankhead, Ph. D., MSW Date

Division of Social Work



Abstract

of

CURRENT VOICES OF FORMER TEEN MOTHERS:
CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTS TO PARENTINGby

Debra G. Kahan


Data from a descriptive study were used to depict and document the experiences of a convenience sample of 10 former teen mothers who currently reside in Sacramento County and who are raising their child. The purpose of the study was to understand the major challenges and risk factors of these teen mothers, the support systems and services that they have used, and theirown perceptions of their parental role. The interview survey was primarily comprised of 32 closed-ended questions with some open-ended questions. Conclusions can be drawn that reported data in this study may provide useful insights on the extent of the problems of teenaged childbearing, but the need for allied health professionals and supportive programs should be investigated further._______________________, Committee Chair
Ronald Boltz


_______________________
Date

DEDICATION


I would like to dedicate this research project to the young mothers that I met in undertaking this research project, who told me only a portion of their stories, but through whom I have learned so much. As their struggles were made apparent, so was their love for their children. Theirconcerns and aspirations have inspired me to continue to learn more and advocate for them and for their families as I embark upon the next stage in my future vocation as a social worker.
I would also like to dedicate this research project to my three children, Nikolas Gavalas, Alia Kahan, and Yuri Kahan. May they one day, when they have children and families of their own, come tounderstand the blessing and the power of a mother’s love and the positive force it brings to our world.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It is an honor for me to acknowledge the advice and guidance of my thesis project advisor, Dr. Ronald Boltz, and to sincerely thank him for his patience and expertise in sharing his knowledge. I am grateful to the faculty of the Division of Social Work for their encouragementin teaching me over the years. I also thank the Social Work Graduate Program Director, Dr. Teiahsha Bankhead, for her dedication to her students.
This thesis project would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Sacramento Food Bank Family Services/Mother and Child Program (SFBFS) and the Sacramento County WIC Program. I would like to especially thank two supervisors at theSFBFS, Carrie Black and Lorena Carranza, the program director of the WIC program, Amelia Schendel, and the lactation consultant at the Rancho Cordova Office of the Sacramento WIC program, Cindy Bastian. Through their encouragement and support this study was greatly enhanced.
It is a special pleasure to thank my dear friend, Kate Risingsun, RN, IBCLC, for her expertise and dedication in the...