Assessing the Impact of Teenage Pregnancy in Girl-Child Education A Case Study of Mayo-Dassa Community, Jalingo LGA, Taraba State

Abstract

This research critically investigates the implications of teenage pregnancy on the educational development of the girl-child in Mayo-Dassa, Jalingo LGA, Taraba State, with a particular focus on the socio-cultural and economic dimensions that foster early motherhood. Teenage pregnancy continues to serve as a significant impediment to academic progression, exacerbating gender disparities and curtailing the life prospects of adolescent girls. Grounded in Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), the study explores how environmental and social influences shape adolescent reproductive choices; Feminist Theory (Butler, 1990) is employed to interrogate the patriarchal systems that marginalise female educational access, while Human Capital Theory (Schultz, 1961) is utilised to elucidate the long-term economic repercussions of interrupted education among teenage mothers. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study synthesises data from in-depth interviews, policy analyses, and case narratives to
capture the lived realities of affected individuals. Preliminary findings reveal a confluence of poverty, entrenched gender norms, cultural expectations, and limited access to reproductive health education as key drivers of early pregnancy, which in turn disrupt educational trajectories. Further exacerbating the problem are social exclusion, economic hardship, and institutional barriers, such as restrictive school policies. The theoretical framework underscores the interplay of social conditioning, systemic inequality, and economic disenfranchisement in shaping educational outcomes. The study advocates for comprehensive, context-specific interventions, ranging from gender-responsive educational reforms and youth empowerment programs to accessible sexual and reproductive health services. By promoting inclusive policy frameworks and supportive learning environments, this research aims to inform strategies that safeguard educational opportunities for teenage mothers and advance broader goals of gender equity and sustainable community development.