Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting Experiences of Adolescent Parents in Busan Metropolitan City

This study examined the life experiences of adolescent parents during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing. Although the issue of low birth rates is increasingly emphasized in South Korea, adolescent parents remain in a professional blind spot regarding institutional support. This study addresses this gap by comprehensively examining the lives of adolescent parents through thematic analysis following focus group and in-depth interviews. The findings of this study are as follows. First, adolescent parents experienced pregnancy and childbirth within vulnerable support systems without adequate preparation. Second, they experienced confusion in establishing their parental identity, compounded by the absence of parental role models. Third, prior effects of conflict within their families of origin were carried onto the present, contributing to low levels of trust in others. Finally, they performed their parental roles amid unstable livelihood conditions, including precarious employment and housing. This study enhances understanding of the lives of adolescent parents and proposes policy measures to support their healthy family life.