Teenage Pregnancy throughout the Dominican Republic
Pamela Pinales, sixteen yrs old, 7 weeks expecting, poses to have an excellent portrait external the girl family home where eight some body live. Pamela, that is a junior when you look at the highschool, she says it is common for girls to get pregnant if you find yourself browsing college. “Ahead of I got expecting, I did not know any thing on the gender. I became extremely terrified,” she told you. “I can not let you know just what my little one’s coming is mainly because I’m not yes what my personal future is actually.” Picture because of the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Miriam, 18 years old, nine months expecting, conversations exterior a salon with Peace Corps voluntary Zena Clements. Zena come hosting each week instructions into hill to coach teenagers simple tips to securely use condoms in order to mention gender, relationships, and you may contraceptives-points that are believed forbidden within the home. Doctor Eudhy Estevez, that has finished half a year regarding an excellent yearlong internship from the Jamey clinic, said brand new high rate out-of pregnant teenagers should be attributed to the brand new diminished knowledge of birth-control use. Picture from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Yudeiqui, 18 years of age, Aleini, three years old, and Yobel, cuatro days old: While you are the lady boy Yobel sleeps into the, Yudeiqui Brito Guzman, exactly who goes by Ariza, lies and nourishes the woman daughter. ‘I’m here by yourself and i also haven’t any you to definitely let just take care of my children,’ told you Ariza, exactly who starts the girl trip to 7 an excellent.m. 
to prepare morning meal to have Aleini and you may Yobel. Her companion Yosandi, 19, visits Monday due to Tuesday when he isn’t counting oranges within the marketplace getting performs. Just like the the guy just produces throughout the 5,100 pesos-around equivalent to $113-per month, Ariza’s parents often posting her or him currency. “It is really not sufficient-what he becomes at the job-however, i make what you you are able to to pay for kids’ needs,” she said. Image by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Yesenia, sixteen years of age, cuatro days expecting, Jason 2 yrs dated: Yesenia, four days pregnant, sits together with her niece and dos-year-old guy, Jason. Position together are the girl lover Vilo, just who she thinks are thirty two. They are actually 73, regarding the the woman dad’s many years. Regardless of if teenager mothers’ partners are commonly elderly regarding the mountainous area of San Cristobal, also known as Jamey, Yesenia’s circumstances are high. “I wish he or she is younger,” she told you off Vilo, who’s at least a dozen pupils along with other ladies in the brand new community. “I want to love your while the they are my child’s father.” Visualize from the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Investment
Yanilda, 18 years old, seven months pregnant, Yason, step 1 step one/2 years old (left); Maria, 18 years old, 5 months expecting, Omar 2 years old: Maria and you may Yanilda bathe their children just before baths on their own outside of their house. The 2 ladies, one another pregnant making use of their second child, alive with their college students from inside the Jamey. Maria says she don’t know how to end having children. This lady mom’s information is ‘Don’t feel with too many men,’ and ‘Protect oneself.’ “If i had identified about contraceptive and you will condoms, I would personally was secure,” Maria told you. “I didn’t know anything.” Image by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.
Danet Pinales, 17 yrs . old, Daneuris, 11-days-old: Danet rests during the a job interview if you find yourself holding the woman man, Daneuris. “I feed him, shower your,” told you Danet, who would like this lady child man being a professional. “We care for your very good.” Danet prevented probably university immediately following finishing the fifth values. She told you she intends to return immediately after the woman son is actually 90 days dated, but for today, the lady appeal is found on maintaining this lady newborn. “I did not wish to have the child today,” she said. “I ought to have waited, but it simply took place.’ Photo by the Jennifer Gonzalez. Dominican Republic, 2014.