Adolescent Pregnancy in the Dominican Republic

Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, who passes Ariza, stands with her step 3-year-old child Aleini exterior their home from the mountainous region of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, labeled as Jamey. Photo by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

“I am here alone and i do not have one to help just take proper care of my children,” told you Ariza, who begins the lady day at seven a.yards. to set up breakfast having Aleini and you may Yobel. Picture by Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Ariza and you can Aleini stay and eat rice together outside of its family. “We felt crappy, due to the fact I wanted to get rid of university before getting pregnant,” she said, outlining the new struggles of expecting while in categories. Photo because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

“I don’t know what you should tell the lady or hence age was the correct so you’re able to [prevent] my personal child regarding to-be an expecting adolescent,” Ariza said. “I want to tell the girl to use condoms and you will contraceptives of course, if she begins having sex, but I’m not sure [if] it would be an effective or bad to tell her every [that.]” Image because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Investment

Ariza is additional with her children. Ariza’s companion Yosandi, 19, visits Tuesday by way of Tuesday when he isn’t counting oranges at the industry to own works. As the guy only renders throughout the 5,100 pesos-roughly equivalent to $113-monthly, Ariza’s parents sometimes publish them money. “This is simply not enough-just what he will get at work-however, i build everything you you can to purchase children’s need,” she said. Image by Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Aria attempts to place this lady man off to possess a sleep. While she actually is way more knowledgeable and you can economically secure than many other adolescent mothers, most of who never ever scholar of high-school and you may live with its mothers, Ariza said: “I’m not pleased with being an early on mother.” Picture by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

If you’re this lady 4-month-old man Yobel rests in the center of the afternoon, 18-year-old Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, exactly who passes by Ariza, sits and you may nourishes her daughter Aleini outside.

Ariza, whom lives in the mountainous region of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, also known as Jamey, spoons grain into the step 3-year-old’s throat when you look at the brilliant December go out.

It’s Christmas Eve, therefore the effective son hops off the red-colored, synthetic settee and scampers for the family’s latrine-a luxury in the mountain-just ten legs from their pastel green and you may eco-friendly home.

As one of the pair expecting teens in the area to help you finish twelfth grade, Ariza locations the bowl on the ground and you may raises her primary English guide, anything she’s become understanding to raised grasp what. She actually starts to utter rudimentary terms, until whimpering was read out-of the woman 50 % of-wood, half-concrete residence.

“I’m here alone and i do not have one to assist just take proper care of my children,” told you Ariza, just who begins her day at seven an excellent.meters. to set up break fast to own Aleini and you can Yobel.

The girl spouse Yosandi, 19, check outs Tuesday through Friday when he is not relying oranges at the business having work. Because the the guy only can make about 5,000 pesos-more or less comparable to $113-per month, Ariza’s parents either posting her or him money.

“He said I got to exit the home of accept my better half,” she said, bouncing Yobel inside her lap. “My personal mom… believed so unfortunate since the I happened to be only 15 yrs . old, and you can my personal grandparents had been most crazy in the me personally.”

If you are Ariza’s parents was basically troubled, they never ever offered the woman a proper sexual studies, a common theme one of adolescent parents regarding the Dominican Republic.

As 18-year-old Maria Luisa Rodriguez, which passes by Yajaira, the caretaker away from dos-year-dated Omar, place it: “My mother’s suggestions was, ‘Don’t getting having so many guys.'”

Yajaira, that is five weeks expecting, today spends this lady weeks caring for Omar together roomie, 18-year-old Yanilda, mom out-of nearly 2-year-old Yason. Yanilda is even expecting along with her 2nd man.

Ariza told you she really wants to reverse that it taboo and will later on illuminate her own youngsters. She has thought about it much, however, will not understand how otherwise when to revision the girl girl regarding intercourse.

“I don’t know things to share with the girl or and this years is actually appropriate to help you [prevent] my child from becoming an expecting adolescent,” she told you. “I would like to tell the lady to make use of condoms and you may contraceptives whenever she starts sex, but I am not sure [if] it could be a otherwise bad to share with this lady every [you to.]”

“We noticed bad, as I desired to get rid of university before getting pregnant,” she told you, detailing the fresh problems from pregnant during kinds. “The most challenging element of becoming an adolescent mommy was other anyone gossiping in addition to their opinions. Including probably college or university impression all the pregnancy episodes, sickness, vomiting.”

Up until Aleini expands of sufficient age getting one to discussion, Ariza will continue to occupy the woman time by the cleansing the household and you will baths the lady students.

When you find yourself she actually is a whole lot more experienced and you will financially stable than many other adolescent parents, most of exactly who never graduate off high school and you may live with its parents, Ariza said: “I’m not proud of getting an early on mommy.”