Authors

Kimberly Ortiz

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Little is known about the care pregnant, single girls received at the Berachah Home in Arlington, TX, from 1903 to 1935. In an effort to learn from the past, this study describes how pregnant and homeless adolescents were treated socially and medically between 1900 and 1935, and how this knowledge informs current policies for homeless adolescent women. Primary and secondary historical sources were analyzed from the archives at the University of Texas Arlington, using the social determinants of health framework. Themes included financial dependence vs. independence, social stigma vs. self-esteem, social support vs. isolation, education, housing, and access to health care. As in 1903, today homeless adolescents need programs to reduce stigmatizing beliefs about them, to improve access to obstetricians, to create affordable housing, and to improve childcare. Further research on social and health outcomes of such programs would improve care for pregnant adolescent young women today.

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Language

English

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