The decision making process of adolescent pregnant women receiving help from Taipei single mother assistance centers

This research explores the problem of teenage pregnancy through the experiences of individuals receiving help from two single-mother assistance centers in Taipei, Taiwan. In particular, this study attempts to understand the difficult thought processes undergone by these young women from the time that they became aware of their pregnancy to the point at which they decided to carry their baby to term. Grounded theory was employed in designing this research. A total of 10 teenage subjects were involved in this study. After analyzing data, findings were made in the following four core areas: (1) The process through which teenage girls decide to take their unborn babies to term; (2) Feelings of isolation and reaching out for help; (3) The social and cultural pressures faced by single teenage girls who decide to have children out of wedlock; and (4) The self-revival and renewal of teenage girls' beliefs. Through this study, we can better understand the processes and experiences of single teenagers from their initiai comprehension of their pregnancy through to the decision to take their pregnancy to term.