Exploring beliefs and attitudes towards teenage pregnancy and parenthood in Malta : a sociocultural perspective

Abstract

This dissertation explores public perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes towards teenage pregnancy and parenthood in Malta, a topic that was not researched before. While teenage birth rates in Malta have declined in recent decades, the persistence of stigma, moral judgment, and structural inequalities continues to shape public discourse and impact young parents. In this study a survey was used containing qualitative and quantitative methods for an understanding of how teenage pregnancy is viewed by the individuals living in Malta. The findings were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank-order correlations, and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Quantitative results revealed various public opinions that varied in age, gender and educational attainment. Many participants expressed the importance of support, educational access, and shared parental responsibility. Thematic analysis further highlighted common beliefs about the causes of teenage pregnancy, including lack of comprehensive sex education, limited access to contraception, and socio-cultural influences. Suggestions from the public centred on improving sexual health education, reducing stigma, and expanding support services for young parents. The study reveals that Maltese public opinion is shaped by both evolving social values and lingering traditional norms. Notably, restrictive reproductive legislation and the absence of legal abortion in Malta were raised by participants as factors that exacerbate the challenges faced by teenagers. The discussion draws on feminist and symbolic interactionist theories to interpret the data, highlighting how moral discourse, gendered expectations, and public judgement construct teenage motherhood in Malta.