| Description |
The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how adolescent mothers envision their future for the next ten years of life after high school. Thirteen adolescent mothers in an alternative high school in Utah participated in an art-based photography project in which students collected images from both self-taken photographs as well as an online source. These photographs were used in making a photo book that expressed their future goals and dreams for the next ten years. Photo Voice was used as a theoretical framework for this study. Themes that emerged from the student's photo books, qualitative interviews, photographs of the classroom, and group discussion included marriage and weddings, family (both present and future), financial success, hidden curriculum and careers. Findings suggest that adolescent mothers want careers that require college completion, yet the career class environment appeared to only emphasize roles of motherhood and homemaking. Findings suggest that a college application process should be implemented into the curriculum for these students. Findings during the group discussion showed students lack the knowledge necessary for completing this important process for enrollment into a college or university. These young women exhibit the desire for advanced career opportunities and need this to become part of the career class core. |
