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Social Science and Medicine
Volume 174
December 2016 Pages 133 - 141

Parents’ experience of unintended childbearing: A qualitative study of factors that mitigate or exacerbate effects

Megan L. Kavanaugh,Guttmacher Institute
Kathryn Kost,Guttmacher Institute
Lori F. Frohwirth,Guttmacher Institute
Isaac Maddow-Zimet,Guttmacher Institute
Vivian Gor
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First published online: December 18, 2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.12.024

Highlights

  • Unintended childbearing impacts mothers and fathers in several life domains.
  • Parents identify both negative and positive effects of an unintended birth.
  • Mechanisms may either mitigate or exacerbate the effects of unintended childbearing.
  • Workplace flexibility and childcare may be key mechanisms mitigating effects.

Abstract

Births resulting from an unintended pregnancy affect individuals differentially, and some may experience more negative consequences than others. In this study, we sought to describe the mechanisms through which the severity of effects may be mitigated or exacerbated. We conducted in-depth interviews with 35 women and 30 men, all with a youngest child born resulting from an unintended pregnancy, in two urban sites in the United States. Respondents described both negative and positive effects of the child's birth in the areas of school; work and finances; partner relationships; personal health and outlook on life trajectories. Mechanisms through which unintended pregnancies mitigated or exacerbated certain effects fell at the individual (e.g. lifestyle modification), interpersonal (e.g. partner support) and structural (e.g. workplace flexibility) levels. These qualitative findings deepen understanding of the impact of unintended childbearing on the lives of women, men and families.

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Megan L. Kavanaugh , Guttmacher Institute
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Topic

United States

  • Pregnancy: Unintended Pregnancy

Geography

  • Northern America: United States
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