The Philippines faces an escalating adolescent pregnancy crisis, with over 180,000 births annually among girls aged 10–19【1】. The highest rates are in economically disadvantaged regions, where young girls often lack access to education, reproductive health services, and legal protection【2】. But beyond poverty and limited resources, there is a deeper, more pervasive issue fueling this epidemic: harmful gender norms and toxic masculinity.
From outdated beliefs about male dominance to the cultural acceptance of older men pursuing younger women, societal expectations continue to enable and normalize the exploitation of teenage girls. This blog explores how toxic masculinity perpetuates adolescent pregnancy and how we, as a society, can work together to create a culture where young girls are protected, empowered, and given the freedom to shape their own futures.
Toxic Masculinity and Its Role in Adolescent Exploitation
Toxic masculinity is not about attacking men—it is about challenging a set of cultural expectations that harm both women and men. It reinforces aggressive, dominant, and entitled behavior while discouraging emotional intelligence, respect, and accountability in relationships【3】.
Three Common Harmful Beliefs That Fuel Adolescent Exploitation:
🔸 The “Purity Myth”:
- Many cultures idealize young women as “pure” and more desirable partners. In the Philippines, this belief subtly encourages relationships between older men and underage girls, reinforcing the false notion that younger girls make “better wives and mothers”【4】.
🔸 Power Imbalances in Relationships:
- Studies show that 72% of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines involve much older men【5】. In these relationships, young girls often lack the power to negotiate consent, contraception, or say no【6】. This makes them vulnerable to coercion and control, rather than mutual partnership.
🔸 Victim-Blaming and Societal Silence:
- When a teenage girl becomes pregnant, society often blames her rather than the adult man who pursued her【7】. This shame-based culture discourages victims from speaking out, while men often face little to no consequences for their actions.
Toxic masculinity does not just hurt women—it also traps men in outdated ideas of masculinity, where control and dominance are mistaken for strength. This is a problem that affects us all, and the solution requires everyone’s participation, not just women advocating for their rights.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: What the Data Tells Us
📊 72% of adolescent pregnancies involve older men (Senate Hearings on SB 1979, 2025)【5】.
📊 3,343 girls under 15 gave birth in 2023—many impregnated by men significantly older than them【6】.
📊 Only 3% of teen pregnancies involve same-age partners, meaning most of these pregnancies happen in power-imbalanced relationships【6】.
📊 33% of sexual violence cases against children involve family members, contributing to underreported and hidden cases of adolescent pregnancy【8】.
These numbers show that adolescent pregnancy is rarely about young people making “bad choices”—it is about systemic exploitation and power imbalances.
How We Can Shift the Blame Where It Belongs
If we want to protect young girls and prevent adolescent pregnancies, we must challenge the societal norms that excuse, enable, and normalize exploitation. Here’s how we can make a change:
📣 Stop Romanticizing Age-Gap Relationships
- Media, movies, and telenovelas often portray relationships between older men and younger women as “normal” or even “desirable.” This must change. We need to shift public conversations to recognize the risks and power imbalances in these relationships【9】.
📚 Teach Boys About Consent, Respect, and Healthy Masculinity
- Boys are rarely taught that true masculinity is about respect, not control. Schools and communities must instill in young men that relationships should be based on equality, not power【10】.
- Instead of shaming boys, we should be teaching them that respecting women and challenging peer pressure are signs of true strength.
⚖️ Hold Men Accountable—But Also Give Them the Tools to Be Part of the Solution
- Strengthen enforcement of laws against statutory rape and sexual exploitation, ensuring that perpetrators face real consequences【11】.
- Encourage male-led advocacy groups to call out harmful behaviors and promote healthy masculinity. Research shows that boys who grow up with strong male role models who respect women are far less likely to engage in coercive behavior【12】.
👨👩👧 Support Families in Raising Empowered Daughters
- Many families still pressure girls into early relationships and marriages due to financial struggles【13】. Economic empowerment programs for young women and their families can reduce reliance on predatory relationships and help girls stay in school【14】.
This Is Not Just a Women’s Issue—It’s a Society-Wide Issue
Ending the adolescent pregnancy crisis isn’t just about protecting girls—it’s about teaching boys to be part of the solution, holding men accountable, and shifting harmful cultural norms that hurt everyone.
We all have a role to play:
✅ Parents: Educate both sons and daughters about consent, healthy relationships, and respect.
✅ Men and Boys: Speak out when you see peers engaging in harmful behavior. Challenge sexist jokes, predatory attitudes, and outdated gender norms.
✅ Teachers and Schools: Implement comprehensive, age-appropriate education on consent, power dynamics, and reproductive health.
✅ Lawmakers and Law Enforcers: Strengthen and consistently enforce protections against statutory rape and child exploitation.
✅ Media and Influencers: Stop romanticizing age-gap relationships and start promoting positive, equal partnerships.
The adolescent pregnancy crisis will not be solved by blaming girls. We must shift the conversation towards accountability, respect, and empowerment.
Sources & Citations
[1] UNFPA Philippines. (2021). Teenage Pregnancy and the Role of Older Partners in Exploitation. Retrieved from [UNFPA Website].
[2] Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023). National Demographic and Health Survey. Retrieved from [PSA Website].
[3] MenEngage Alliance. (2023). Redefining Masculinity: Teaching Boys to Be Advocates for Gender Equality. Retrieved from [MenEngage Website].
[4] Oxfam Philippines. (2022). Saying Yes to Whose Pleasures? The Role of Cultural Norms in Adolescent Pregnancy. Retrieved from [Oxfam Website].
[5] Senate Hearings on SB 1979. (2025). Legislative Review on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Male Responsibility. Retrieved from [Senate Website].
[6] Philippine Commission on Women. (2024). Gender-Based Violence and the Normalization of Grooming in Age-Disparate Relationships. Retrieved from [PCW Website].
[7] Save the Children Philippines. (2023). Breaking the Silence: Adolescent Pregnancy and the Need for Stronger Protections. Retrieved from [Save the Children Website].
[8] Philippine National Police. (2023). Annual Report on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Crimes. Retrieved from [PNP Website].
[9] UNESCO. (2023). Media Representation and Its Role in Shaping Gender Norms. Retrieved from [UNESCO Website].
[10] Department of Education Philippines. (2024). Comprehensive Sexuality Education Policy Report. Retrieved from [DepEd Website].
[11] Republic of the Philippines. (2022). RA 11648: An Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent in the Philippines. Retrieved from [Official Gazette].