The conception rate in England and Wales increased by 3 per cent between 2001 and 2002, according to provisional statistics. There were 72.2 conceptions per 1,000 women aged 15-44, compared with 70.3 in 2001. The conception rate for girls aged under 18 in England and Wales rose slightly, from 42.7 conceptions per 1,000 girls aged 15-17 in 2001 to 42.8 in 2002.
Source: 'Conceptions in England and Wales, 2002', Health Statistics Quarterly 24, Winter 2004, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf) | FPA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Nov
A survey found that many young mothers faced serious prejudice from public services, preventing them from accessing vital support services and limiting their chances of re-entering education and employment. Fewer than half of local education authorities offered young mothers under 16 - the minimum school leaving age - the chance to study the full national curriculum.
Source: Press release 8 September 2004, Young Women s Christian Association (01865 304215)
Links: YWCA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
An article argued that the government's attempts to promote social inclusion for young mothers (through education and work) ignored the structural and contextual barriers they faced, discounted full-time mothering as a valid option, and neglected the 'social and moral elements' of their exclusion.
Source: Judi Kidger, 'Including young mothers: limitations to New Labour s strategy for supporting teenage parents', Critical Social Policy, Volume 24 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2004-Aug
Researchers explored the factors that shaped young people s attitudes to, and experiences of, sexual behaviour and young parenthood in three linked seaside and rural areas. Although there were many characteristics of sexual behaviour which were familiar from other research, the impact of the local context often accentuated their difficulties for example the hedonistic and exploitative environment of the seaside; or the isolation, difficulties in accessing services and heightened visibility of rural areas.
Source: Jo Bell et al., Living on the Edge: Sexual behaviour and young parenthood in rural and seaside areas, Teenage Pregnancy Unit/Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jul
Researchers looked at what shaped young women s decisions about their pregnancies. The proportion of pregnant young women who sought abortions tended to be lower in socially disadvantaged areas even though these areas also had the highest rates of conception among under-18s. The proportion tended to be higher in areas where there was more extensive family planning provision, higher percentages of women family doctors, and easier access to independent abortion services.
Source: Ellie Lee, Steve Clements, Roger Ingham and Nicole Stone, A Matter of Choice?: Explaining national variations in teenage abortion and motherhood, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 684 | Press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jun
Women who had their first babies as teenagers suffered financial consequences throughout life, according to research on female twins who first became mothers at different ages.
Source: Denise Hawkes, Education, Earnings, Ability and Early Child Bearing: Evidence from a sample of UK twins, Institute of Education/University of London (020 7612 6050)
Links: IOE press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Apr
The government responded to the second annual report (published in July 2003) of the independent advisory group on teenage pregnancy. It said the 10 per cent fall in the under-18 conception rate since 1998 was an 'encouraging sign of progress'.
Source: Government Response to the Second Annual Report of the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260) and other departments | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 30 January 2004, columns 23-24WS, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | Hansard | IAG report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jan