Adolescent Maternity on the Dominican Republic

Pamela Pinales, 16 yrs old, seven weeks pregnant, poses getting a good portrait additional their home where seven someone real time. Pamela, who is a junior into the senior high school, she states it is common for women to conceive while you are planning to school. “In advance of I experienced expecting, I didn’t know any thing in the sex. I became really frightened,” she said. “I can not show exactly what my personal infant’s future is simply because I’m not even yes just what my personal upcoming are.” Photo by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Miriam, 18 years of age, 9 months pregnant, talks exterior a beauty salon which have Peace Corps volunteer Zena Clements. Zena been holding a week lessons on mountain to teach young ones simple tips to securely use condoms in order mate1 Zoeken to speak about gender, relationships, and you can contraceptives-items that are considered taboo into the house. Doc Eudhy Estevez, who’s got done 6 months away from an effective yearlong internship from the Jamey infirmary, said the latest high rate away from expecting family would be associated with the new not enough knowledge of contraceptive fool around with. Image by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Yudeiqui, 18 years old, Aleini, 3 years dated, and you can Yobel, 4 days dated: When you’re her son Yobel sleeps inside, Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, whom goes by Ariza, consist and you may nourishes the lady girl. ‘I’m right here alone and that i don’t have any one help just take care of my loved ones,’ said Ariza, whom starts the lady trip to 7 a beneficial.meters. to prepare break fast getting Aleini and you can Yobel. Their spouse Yosandi, 19, visits Monday courtesy Saturday as he is not counting oranges at the the market industry getting performs. Just like the the guy only renders on the 5,000 pesos-around comparable to $113-monthly, Ariza’s mothers possibly post him or her money. “It is not enough-exactly what he gets in the office-however, we generate everything you you can easily to cover the youngsters’ needs,” she said. Photo because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Yesenia, 16 years old, cuatro days pregnant, Jason 2 yrs dated: Yesenia, four weeks expecting, consist together niece and you may 2-year-dated guy, Jason. Updates with these people is actually this lady companion Vilo, just who she thinks was thirty-two. He’s in reality 73, from the the girl dad’s many years. Even in the event teenager mothers’ partners can be older on the mountainous area regarding San Cristobal, known as Jamey, Yesenia’s situation was extreme. “I wish he is young,” she told you out of Vilo, who’s got no less than 12 students along with other ladies in brand new town. “I want to like him once the he’s my newborns dad.” Picture because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Endeavor

Yanilda, 18 yrs old, eight weeks expecting, Yason, step 1 1/2 years old (left); Maria, 18 yrs old, 5 days pregnant, Omar 2 years dated: Maria and you will Yanilda bathe kids in advance of bathrooms themselves outside of their home. The 2 females, each other pregnant with the next boy, alive along with their pupils when you look at the Jamey. Maria claims she didn’t can stop with children. Their mother’s information try ‘Don’t end up being having so many boys,’ and ‘Protect oneself.’ “Basically had understood from the birth-control and you can condoms, I would was in fact protected,” Maria said. “I did not know any single thing.” Picture of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.

Danet Pinales, 17 yrs old, Daneuris, 11-days-old: Danet pauses throughout the an interview if you are carrying her kid, Daneuris. “I supply your, shower him,” said Danet, who desires the girl infant son to be an engineer. “We maintain him pretty good.” Danet avoided planning to university just after doing this new 5th stages. She told you she intentions to return immediately following this lady kid are 3 months old, but also for now, the lady appeal is found on looking after the girl infant. “I did not want the little one today,” she said. “I should enjoys waited, however it just happened.’ Visualize because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.