A growing concern: Teenage pregnancy in Brazil | DW Documentary

Still a teen but already a mom to several kids: Every year in Brazil, almost 500,000 girls under 20 give birth – more than in most other countries.

Vitória became a mother at the age of 15. Now at 17, she’s pregnant with her second child. She lives with her boyfriend Eduardo in a favela in the north of Rio de Janeiro. Money is tight and their apartment is small. There are drug deals happening right outside their front door. Heavily armed dealers stand on every corner. It's a very different world from the Rio of Sugarloaf Mountain and picturesque beaches. But Vitória and Eduardo want to make it work. Social workers and doctors at the Dara Institute are helping guide them along the difficult path. A report by Bianca Kopsch.

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[sonambhatt]

I really liked the fact that the teenage couple is still together in all the situations and family of the girl is also supportive to her.

[myosotismalva]

Poverty and teen pregnancy work hand in hand.

[emilywiebel]

Despite all of the hardships they are struggling through this couple is so strong and so loving. I hope they both get to finish school and accomplish all of their dreams. It’s hard to escape poverty when that’s what you’ve been born and raised into, but I have faith that they will continue to conquer their goals and live the life they so desperately want to give to their two babies. Also, the grandma is a true gem! The love and support she has given her granddaughter is beautiful.

[vantinhnguyen]

It is so sad that there are many places that still underestimate sexual education at schools, and it leads to much trouble for people in general not only teenage groups.

[nostaligia]

The title of the video is “Teenage Pregnancy in Brazil”. The young couple seems to be holding up a family together. But the broader picture: she was 14 and he was 19 or 20 when she was pregnant with their first child. It is a story of a family of four generations from an impoverished drug infested neighborhood. Yes, the girl and the man and the baby seem happy and nice and smart but that should not distract us from the focus of this social epidemic of teen pregnancy. He is 22 and still trying to finish high school. Her aspirations are admirable but the reality is often much harsher on people in underserved/ignored neighborhoods. What lies ahead for the baby girl and her future sibling? We left them after watching this video but their reality continued after the cameras were gone…

[mfra]

This is why Education is so very Important

[NFTArtistCarolinaTeresita]

She is such a loving good mother regardless of age - you can see that and her children and family are beautiful. Hopefully her makeup business expands.

[itsabellsss]

Contraception is definitely not a taboo in Brasil ( I am Brazilian). You can get free contraceptive pills and condoms at public healthcare clinics. While teen pregnancy appears to be more common in poorer areas of the country, Teen pregnancy is also common amongst middle/upper middle class, but a lot of these people have the financial means to afford safe ( although still illegal) abortion . Some travel to neighbouring South American countries where abortion is legal.

[Africana]

Umm, this man is 22 years old and she's 17 which means there's a nearly 6 year age difference. It was stated that they started dating when she was 12 which would put him at 17/18. That is disgusting. This guy is a whole predator who had no business looking at a 12 year old let alone actively pursuing her.

[Ana-bikd]

This documentary romanticizes a lot the whole issue. It's important to say that a lot of teenagers get pregnant from sexual abuse but even if the law allows abortion in these cases, a lot of people don't do it because they feel it's wrong due to religious beliefs, and the family sometimes protect abusers who usually are men from the family circle. A lot of people don't have any sexual education their whole lives, a lot of them don't know what is a contraceptive pill or why people should use condoms.

[dianamaccow]

Her grandmother is wonderful, keep supporting your grandchild. I pray they finish their education. Keep loving your children! ❤❤❤❤

[amandagouvei]

I'm brazilian and its always the poorest people that have like 3 to 4 children. I don't even remember how many times I've seen homeless women full of children by their side, asking for money.

[lasandikulasuriya]

It's so courageous of her to try and be a better mother to her children while not giving up on her dreams. And the fact that her boyfriend has also been actively involved and support the family they built together, despite their mistakes, is so admirable

[Skylily]

Didn't finish their education
Don't have a Good Job
Already have a child
Also don't have health insurance ...
--- STILL THEY DECIDED TO HAVE A SECOND CHILD .
I don't know how people's thinking work .

[sevince_sv]

Everyone wrote in the comments that contraception or sex education is important. But no one has touched on the main issue. This girl is a child. How terrifying a 14-year-old has to be in school and study, but in a corner busy with sex. And look at the hypocrisy of the some people, they are against child marriages, but child women are okay. What I understand from the comments, you think it's normal for all 14-year-olds to have sex if they get the pregnancy issue under control. What a pathetic thought. Education starts in the family, teach your son and daughter to stay away from each other until they reach a certain age and get married. As long as this horrible thing will look "normal" and people will say "why they didn't use contraceptives?" instead of saying "how children can have sex?" these type of horrible acts will increase

[acbc]

I’m a Brazilian-American, 53 . All the time I’ve lived in Brazil I’ve never wanted to have children . I’m an only child and I wasn’t wanted by my mum because my mum got pregnant at 19 . I didn’t want to make the same mistake. I was well brought up anyway but being unwanted by my parents was enough for me not to have a child of my own . I’m happy being single and childfree by choice .

[tarana]

I'm not understanding why the teen mum won't consider contraception or matrimony but did consider abortion. Ignorance about contraception may have resulted in the first baby, but seeing as she was seeing social services between that and the second, and they seem quite proactive about encouraging contraception based on the vide, presumably, she knew about contraception and decided not to use it. She seems pretty happy to me.

[WastedBananas]

12 year old with a 17 year old? bro that's weird af, that dude groomed her.

[Raregem]

I hate that society has normalized bringing kids into poverty and kids struggling alongside their parents.

[gregorythomas]

Good grandmother and mother at work here! Strong women and hope they do well as a family.