Stigmatisation can have a direct impact on teen mothers, often pushing them to drop out of school for real and painful reasons:

1. Emotional Stress and Shame: Teen mothers may face judgement from their peers, teachers, or even community members. This constant stigma can cause overwhelming emotional stress, making it hard to focus on school. For example, if a teen mom is mocked or labelled by classmates, she might feel too embarrassed or ashamed to continue attending school.
2. Lack of Support: Schools often don’t provide the necessary support systems for teen mothers, which makes it even harder to stay in school. If a school doesn’t have daycare facilities or flexible attendance policies, a teen mom might struggle to balance schoolwork with childcare, eventually giving up on her education.
3. Isolation and Bullying: The negative treatment from peers can leave teen mothers feeling isolated. Imagine a teen mom being ignored or bullied by friends because of her situation—this kind of social exclusion can make school feel like a hostile place, making it easier for her to just drop out.

These reasons highlight how stigma and a lack of support can push teen mothers to make the difficult decision to leave school.