Teenage Pregnancy from the Dominican Republic
Pamela Pinales, 16 years old, 7 days pregnant, poses to possess a beneficial portrait exterior the lady house where 7 people live. Pamela, who is good junior within the high school, she claims it is common for girls to conceive while you are gonna university. “Prior to I’d expecting, I didn’t know any single thing about sex. I became really frightened,” she said. “I am unable to tell you exactly what my personal newborns coming is really because I’m not even yes just what my future is.” Visualize from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Miriam, 18 yrs . old, 9 weeks expecting, discussions exterior a beauty salon which have Peace Corps volunteer Zena Clements. Zena started hosting each week classes to the hill to coach children ideas on how to safely fool around with condoms and to talk about sex, dating, and you will contraceptives-points that are believed taboo when you look at the house. Doctor Eudhy Estevez, that has accomplished six months from a beneficial yearlong internship during the Jamey infirmary, said this new high rate of expecting teens will likely be attributed to the new decreased expertise in contraception have fun with. Photo from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Yudeiqui, 18 yrs . old, Aleini, 36 months dated, and you can Yobel, 4 months old: If you find yourself their boy Yobel sleeps into the, Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, exactly who passes Ariza, sits and feeds their daughter. 'I’m right here alone and i don’t have any you to definitely assist take care of my children,’ said Ariza, just who begins their trip to 7 good.m. to arrange break fast getting Aleini and you will Yobel. The lady lover Yosandi, 19, check outs Saturday owing to Monday 
when he is not relying apples from the the marketplace getting work. Because the the guy just renders on 5,000 pesos-about equivalent to $113-per month, Ariza’s moms and dads sometimes post him or her currency. “It is really not adequate-just what he becomes at work-but we make what you you can easily to cover kids’ needs,” she said. Visualize because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Yesenia, 16 years of age, 4 months expecting, Jason couple of years dated: Yesenia, five weeks expecting, sits together niece and you may dos-year-old guy, Jason. Status with these people is actually her lover Vilo, exactly who she thinks try thirty two. They are in reality 73, in the this lady father’s many years. Although adolescent mothers’ partners can be more mature about mountainous area regarding San Cristobal, known as Jamey, Yesenia’s case is actually high. “If only he or she is younger,” she told you away from Vilo, who has got at the least 12 youngsters with other women in the newest town. “I need to like your given that he’s my infant’s father.” Image from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Opportunity
Yanilda, 18 years old, eight days expecting, Yason, step 1 step 1/2 years dated (left); Maria, 18 yrs old, 5 days expecting, Omar 24 months dated: Maria and you will Yanilda bathe their children just before bathrooms by themselves outside of their house. Both women, both pregnant making use of their second boy, real time together with their college students during the Jamey. Maria says she did not can avoid having people. The lady mom’s guidance is 'Don’t become having way too many men,’ and you will 'Protect yourself.’ “Easily got understood from the birth-control and you will condoms, I’d was in fact protected,” Maria told you. “I didn’t know anything.” Photo of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Danet Pinales, 17 years old, Daneuris, 11-days-old: Danet rests while in the an interview while holding her child, Daneuris. “I supply your, bathe your,” told you Danet, who would like their child child in order to become a professional. “I look after your decent.” Danet averted probably university once completing this new fifth level. She said she plans to get back shortly after the girl son try 3 months dated, but also for now, the lady focus is on maintaining their newborn. “I did not want to have the child now,” she told you. “I ought to has actually waited, it simply took place.’ Visualize by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.