Aims
This study proposes to investigate the life contexts and experiences of motherhood among homeless adolescents and their relation
with the “uncertainty reduction” theory.
Subjects and Methods
A total of 21 teens, living in eight temporary shelters in the city of São Paulo, were intentionally selected. In-depth, face-to-face
semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted. The study was performed by means of qualitative methodology.
Results
Six themes emerged in the content analysis with the agreement of judges: “circulation” or domestic instability; incapacity
to rely on one’s own parents and relatives; the street as a solution; fear of theft of the child; need for support; motherhood
as hope and search for identity.
Conclusion
Motherhood acquires the function of giving meaning to existence and opens a window of opportunity for reorganizing their lives
around more stable bonds. The results suggest that the reduction in uncertainty could partly explain the relevant role of
motherhood in these teens.
Keywords Pregnancy in adolescence - Homeless youth - Mother-child relations - Social psychology