Teenage Pregnancy from the Dominican Republic

Pamela Pinales, 16 years old, seven months pregnant, poses having a great portrait exterior this lady house in which 7 someone real time. Pamela, that is an effective junior when you look at the twelfth grade, she claims it is common for girls to conceive if you are browsing college or university. “Prior to I experienced expecting, I did not know any single thing regarding the gender. I was very frightened,” she told you. “I am unable to let you know exactly what my baby’s coming is because I’m not really sure just what my personal coming was.” Visualize because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Miriam, 18 yrs old, 9 weeks pregnant, discussions additional a hair salon having Peace Corps volunteer Zena Clements. Zena become holding per week training with the hill to educate teenagers tips properly use condoms and talk about sex, matchmaking, and you may contraceptives-items that are thought taboo in the residential property. Doc Eudhy Estevez, who may have completed 6 months out-of a beneficial yearlong internship during the Jamey infirmary, said the fresh higher level out-of pregnant family might be associated with the new not enough expertise in contraception play with. Image of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Yudeiqui, 18 years of age, Aleini, three years dated, and Yobel, cuatro months old: While this lady boy Yobel rests into the, Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, just who goes by Ariza, is and you may feeds this lady child. ‘I’m right here alone and i don’t have any one to help need proper care of my family,’ said Ariza, just who begins the lady trip to 7 an effective.yards. to prepare breakfast to possess Aleini and you may Yobel. The lady lover Yosandi, 19, check outs Monday compliment of Friday as he is not depending oranges at the market industry to possess functions. As he merely tends to make throughout the 5,100 pesos-roughly equivalent to $113-each month, Ariza’s parents possibly posting her or him currency. “It’s not sufficient-exactly what he becomes at the office-however, i create everything you you can easily to afford kids’ need,” she said. Picture of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Yesenia, sixteen yrs old, cuatro days pregnant, Jason a couple of years dated: Yesenia, five days expecting, is with her relative and you may dos-year-old child, Jason. Position with these people is actually the girl spouse Vilo, whom she thinks is thirty two. He or she is indeed 73, throughout the this lady father’s many years. Even in the event teen mothers’ spouses are commonly earlier from the mountainous region away from San Cristobal, called Jamey, Yesenia’s circumstances is actually significant. “I wish he’s younger,” she told you regarding Vilo, who may have about twelve college students together with other ladies in this new village. “I want to like him given that he or she is my child’s dad.” Image from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Enterprise

Yanilda, 18 years old gay hookup, eight days expecting, Yason, step 1 step 1/two years old (left); Maria, 18 yrs . old, 5 days pregnant, Omar 2 years old: Maria and you may Yanilda bathe their children in advance of baths themselves away from their property. The 2 people, each other expecting along with their 2nd son, alive along with their college students when you look at the Jamey. Maria claims she failed to learn how to prevent with pupils. The girl mom’s recommendations was ‘Don’t getting which have so many people,’ and you may ‘Protect yourself.’ “Easily had recognized on the birth control and you may condoms, I would personally have been safe,” Maria said. “I didn’t know any thing.” Visualize by Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Danet Pinales, 17 years old, Daneuris, 11-days-old: Danet rests while in the an interview if you are carrying the woman boy, Daneuris. “We provide your, shower him,” said Danet, who would like the girl child boy to become an engineer. “We care for your pretty good.” Danet stopped going to school immediately after completing the new fifth level. She told you she plans to come back immediately following this lady kid try 3 months old, but also for now, the lady focus is found on maintaining their newborn. “I did not want the child now,” she told you. “I should possess waited, but it merely occurred.’ Picture from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.