Traumatic experience of teenage pregnancies by married men: A challenge to pastoral care

Abstract

Teenage pregnancies by married men are challenges and serious problems that are affecting Vhurivhuri, and other areas within the Vhembe district. The aim of this research is to add value towards a way of unfolding impacts regarding teenage pregnancies by married men, especially of those teenagers who are impregnated by married men who end up dampening them with the responsibility of raising their children alone. Another issue which this research study is focusing on is the issue of betrayal that these traumatised teenagers undergoes when married men who impregnated them refuses the responsibilities of caring for the child, and to the extend of no longer fulfilling their promises of marriage. This research study is focused on the traumatic experiences that these teenagers goes through as they continue with their lives, their studies happen to be affected as some of them discontinues their studies. This research study explored a model of pastoral care in which the affected teenagers have to be helped to acquire healing after trauma counselling by the pastoral care givers who are empowered through this research. A model which has been employed in this research includes the one of the shepherding method of Charles Gerkin and of Adams which is on pastoral care as shepherding of flocks which belonging to God. The word of God has been used to explore where the author wanted to show His love towards his people even when they are under difficult circumstances. <p This research study has also indicated roles of different groups and individuals who should contribute to the sake of healing which traumatised teenagers in this problem. It also have to include the issue of HIV/AIDS as a problem which is having a connection with teenage pregnancies by married men which endangers lives of teenagers who are affected as they get into sexual relationship with unfaithful married men, this is another gap to be researched on in future either in my doctoral level or by someone else. If teenage pregnancies by married men continue within our society, our future is at high risk of HIV/AIDS as there are some practices of unprotected sex involved. This problem not only affects teenagers but their faithful wives who are married to these unfaithful men. By addressing this issue of teenage pregnancies by married men and associate it with HIV/AIDS, one solution will lead to the other. At the end of this research study, these are concluding which will lead to recommendation that readers have to take note of.