TNA Reporter

Teenagers are falling pregnant to access social grants a survey has revealed.

In a survey by Consumer insights company Pondering Panda, it was found that 53% of 15 to 17-year-olds thought that teens who had babies wanted the government grant while 43% of 18 to 34-year-olds agreed with them.

"Younger respondents were more likely to think teens who had babies wanted the government grant," Pondering Panda said in a statement.

"Whilst teen pregnancy is a complex societal issue, government needs to understand how it is viewed by the youth, and work with educators to change the perception that state hand-outs are an acceptable means of financial support for teens."

Pondering Panda conducted the poll among 4 418 South Africans aged between 15 and 34.

The survey correlates with a study conducted last year by the Limpopo health and social department, in which it was found that 15.5% of participants fell pregnant to access child support grants.

“The study recommends that there is a need to reinforce child sexual rights. Some of the pupils did not know that it was an offence (to) have sex when you are below the age of 16,” said Head of Demography and Research, Itani Ntsieni.