Mental health articles

Influences on decisions about termination
Decisions about whether to keep or abort the foetus and how to manage the
pregnancy are complex. They are influenced by the structure of relationships
within the extended family and sociocultural background of the adolescent, but also by the young woman’s psychological state of mental health. Anecdotal
reports suggest that vulnerable and disadvantaged young women may be unable
to realistically anticipate the long-term practicalities that being a parent
involves. They may imagine the infant as a companion, someone who will always
love them, significantly underestimating the extent of an infant’s needs and the long-term impact on their circumstances. Adolescents with access to better education and support are more likely to make the decision to continue a pregnancy with a more realistic understanding of the implications of
parenthood. EXAMPLE: CATE AND BEN
Cate and Ben were 15 when they started going out together. They were in Year 10 at different public high schools, bright kids but getting bored with school. Both
had parents with professional training. Ben’s parents had separated two years earlier and were both dating a series of new partners.
Soon after they met, they began having intercourse and Cate went on the pill.
In Year 11 Cate got bored with school, withdrew and began management
training with a fast-food company. She did very well at this and was rapidly
given increased responsibilities. She enjoyed the practical aspects of the work rather than ‘sitting around talking about things’. Ben continued at school but was
not very engaged. He was partying hard at the weekends and seemed in his
mother’s words ‘in a hurry to grow up’.
After a chest infection for which she was prescribed antibiotics, Cate had a
period of fatigue and nausea. A pregnancy test was positive. At 17, she was 10 weeks pregnant. Ben and Cate had been together about 18 months at this time.
Ben decided it was Cate’s decision whether to continue the pregnancy, but he said he would support whatever she decided. They spent long hours talking about
it with both sets of parents, who strongly recommended termination. The age at which a girl’s mother became a parent is strongly linked to the age at which she
will parent—Cate’s mother had had her first child at 19, and had only later
trained as a teacher. She was anxious about her daughter’s education and training
and wanted to protect her from the struggle she had experienced. Despite this, both
sets of parents said they would support the couple emotionally and practically if
they decide to keep the baby. This was a difficult time for both families, who had not known each other well before the pregnancy. Cate’s mother was just entering
a period of life when she was free of childrearing and able to pursue her career.Both sets of potential grandparents were concerned about the effect of a baby on
their own lives as well as on their children.