A Critical Assessment of Empowerment Workshops for Pregnant Adolescents: Focusing on an Existing Empowerment Program in Costa Rica in 2001

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy is gaining recognition as a social problem. The age of initiation of sexual activity is dropping, rates of sexual activity are increasing, and further amplified by exponential population growth, and public presentation and perception of teen pregnancy are altering. New legislation has been enacted and different programs began which have been beneficial to an extent, but a more holistic approach is necessary, focusing on the economic, social, adolescent development and community resources available. This study performs a critique of an existing program in Costa Rica that purports to address such holistic needs of pregnant adolescents by empowering them through the presentation of themes through the identification of the existence of gender roles and limitations and how they effect personal identity, rights, occupational opportunities and community participation. This program has been found to be successful in its short existence, by effectively altering the perceptions and actions of the adolescent participants in the empowerment workshops. This program sets up a positive framework which with continued focus on extended community participation and education could truly ameliorate the situation of pregnant adolescents in today's modem society.