THE The Socialization to Turn Down Aborting of Women who Experienced Pregnancy Before the Age of Majority

Abstract

          This qualitative research aims to understand which socialization methods encourage women who experienced pregnancy while underage to decide to keep the child. The researchers use the narratives of twelves women who had previously become pregnant before 20 years old and choose to maintain the pregnancy. Because of the sensitive nature of this issue, the researcher chose to reach out to the key informants using gatekeepers, such as parents, friends, or teachers. This study found that the socialization of teenage mothers can be categorized into three forms. First, socialization through the family, which is done by nurturing the value and responsibility to care for the child by family members. Second, socialization through cultures and religious beliefs. In Thailand, religious beliefs and cultural practices discourage women to terminate a pregnancy, especially in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. Lastly, socialization through school. Classmates and teachers can provide support, which in turn, encourages them to keep the child. These three forms of socialization contain two types of socialization processes. Direct socialization is done through teaching, discussing, and exchanging ideas. Indirect socialization, which obtains through participating in social groups, reading, perceiving from various media, and observing others in society.