Cultural practices supporting early motherhood in a Ghanaian community

Bibliographic Data

ID15098662
AuthorsAnthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah (0000-0001-8871-0223, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science and Arts, SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana, corresponding author), Prisca Ama Anima (University of Energy and Natural Resources), Sabina Appiah-Boateng (0000-0002-1174-887X, University of Cape Coast)
Year2024
Volume26
Issue11
Pages1446-1458
Publication date2024-11-04
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2024.2334935
PMID38568135
OpenAlexW4393854842
LanguageEN
References cited23

Cultural practices help constitute a 'normal' way of life within a specific community and set the standard that members of the community are expected to adhere to. Some of these practices may have a short- and long-term influence on young people in ways supportive of teenage motherhood. This study explored cultural practices and beliefs in a study area in Ghana that encourage teenage girls into motherhood unintendedly. An exploratory design was used. Thirty teenage mothers and twenty-two opinion leaders participated in fieldwork conducted between October 2018 and February 2019. Data were analysed using an inductive approach. Four themes became apparent: fear of being cursed for having an abortion; sleeping arrangements; funerals and wakes; and practices of cohabitation in the study area. Cultural practices contribute to teenage motherhood in the Adaklu District of Ghana. Programmes, interventions and policies should be designed to take into consideration the needs, contexts, and backgrounds of teenagers. Future programmes to enhance teenagers ability to avoid teenage pregnancy and motherhood should consider factors such as the family, the person, the community, institutions, and national and international influences

Abortion · Cohabitation · Exploratory research · Political science · Population · Pregnancy · Psychological intervention · Social science · Sociology · Teenage pregnancy · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · Global Maternal and Child Health · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology

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