Pregnancy in the digital generation: Exploring the visual culture of teenage pregnancy on social media

Abstract

The display of pregnancy by adult women on social media is a prevalent phenomenon, yet few studies have focused on the self-agency of minors in presenting their pregnancies online. Based on a thematic analysis of 401 publicly available videos of 30 pregnant minors aged 12–16 on TikTok, the aim of this study is to understand how they exhibit themselves to the world through the content they share. The minors manage their pregnancies by breaking the traditional norms imposed on their age. They display a lack of inhibition and proudly show their extended tummies without considering the potential risks to their physical and psychological health. The 12 and 13-year-olds are the ones most inclined to display their pregnancies, yet the least aware of the challenges associated with early gestation. Positive reactions and support from their families and environment significantly influence the visibility of their pregnancies, as those who receive support exhibit their gestation more openly and express more positive feelings about it. Despite sharing their experiences and challenging the traditional tendency to hide early pregnancy, they conform to the dominant discourse about their condition. Nevertheless, such conformity does not necessarily restructure the expectations imposed on pregnancy, which reinforces gender stereotypes even in circumstances where the young girls challenge social norms.