Motivations, Challenges, and Ways of Coping of Filipino Teenage Mother Students in a Teacher Education Program

Exploring the life experiences of teenage mothers and their increasing population as students in Teacher Education is quite surprising. In this study, the motivations, challenges, and ways of coping of selected 10 Filipino teenage mother students in Teacher Education Program were studied. Using multiple case study design, their experiences in being a mother and student at the same time were identified and analyzed. The analysis and discussion of each cases were provided. Findings revealed several motivations, positive and negative experiences of education student mothers, their numerous challenges and remarkable ways of coping. The implications of the study were mostly contributing to the field of Guidance and Counseling. Overall, the life experiences of the teenage mother students with teacher education as a career choice was viewed as positive. Further research is needed to explore the motivations of the same population in various courses and creation of psycho-educational programs for the student mothers is recommended.