An article examined research evidence which suggested that the age at which pregnancy occurred had little effect on social outcomes. Many teenage mothers described how motherhood made them feel stronger, and marked a change for the better – contrary to the prevailing image of teenage motherhood as a pernicious social problem.
Source: Simon Duncan, 'What's the problem with teenage parents? And what's the problem with policy?', Critical Social Policy, Volume 27 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
The government published guidance for local authorities and primary care trusts on the integrated support services that it wanted each local area to provide for young parents. It aimed to support teenage mothers and young fathers to use contraception effectively to prevent second pregnancies; and it sought to address some of the barriers that could prevent young fathers getting involved in their child?s upbringing.
Source: Teenage Parents: Next Steps – Guidance for Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Guidance | DCSF press release | BBC report | Telegraph report | Young People Now report | Children Now report
Date: 2007-Jul
Three linked reports examined learning opportunities and barriers for young parents, and in particular young mothers.
Source: Sally Dench and Anne Bellis, Learning for Young Mothers: A qualitative study of flexible provision, Report 441, Institute for Employment Studies (01273 686751) | Sally Dench, Anne Bellis and Siobhan Tuohy, Young Mothers Not in Learning: A qualitative study of barriers and attitudes, Report 439, Institute for Employment Studies | Sally Dench, Learning Provision for Young Parents: A survey of learning providers, Report 440, Institute for Employment Studies
Links: Report 441 | Report 439 | Report 440
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined the relationship between dislike of school, teenage pregnancy, and educational disengagement. A strong dislike of school, pre-pregnancy, was often at the root of disengagement before pregnancy – a situation often exacerbated when the news of pregnancy was met with prevailing negative attitudes within school. However, educational alternatives to school frequently provided a route back into, and a changed perception of, education. Tackling pre-pregnancy dislike of school might have important implications for both the support and prevention aspects of the government's teenage-pregnancy strategy.
Source: Alison Hosie, '"I hated everything about school": an examination of the relationship between dislike of school, teenage pregnancy and educational disengagement', Social Policy and Society, Volume 6 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A report examined how programmes to tackle teenage pregnancy could help local strategic partnerships achieve their key priorities and outcomes. It explained why reducing teenage pregnancy was important, and identified LSP priorities which related to it.
Source: Local Strategic Partnerships and Teenage Pregnancy, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236), Department for Education and Skills, and Department of Health
Links: Report
Date: 2007-May
In the first quarter of 2006 the under-16 rate of conceptions was 7.0 per 1,000 girls (aged 13-15), compared with 7.6 for the same quarter of 2005. The under-18 rate was 39.7 per 1,000 girls (aged 15-17), compared with 41.4 for the same quarter in 2005. In both cases this was the lowest first quarter rate since 1993, when the statistical series started.
Source: 'Conceptions: age of woman at conception', Table 4.1, Health Statistics Quarterly 34, Summer 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Table | DfES press release | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-May
A literature review examined the impact of parental aspirations on educational outcomes for the children of teenage mothers. There seemed to be no studies that had specifically investigated the possibility that supporting teenage mothers in formulating and sustaining long-term parental aspirations for their children might be a key to breaking cycles of disadvantage.
Source: Susan Hallam and Andrea Creech, A Review of the Literature Relating to the Parental Aspirations of Teenage Mothers, CfBT Education Trust (0118 902 1000)
Date: 2007-Apr
An article examined the experiences of young women who became mothers while in, or following, local authority care, and the significance of risk and vulnerability faced by them. Although pregnancy might not be a planned activity, young women demonstrated choice and rationality in their decision to become mothers.
Source: Ravinder Barn and Nadia Mantovani, 'Young mothers and the care system: contextualizing risk and vulnerability', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Mar
In 2005, there were 41.1 pregnancies per 1,000 girls (under 18) in England, compared with 41.5 per 1,000 in 2004. The figures showed wide regional variations, with deprived areas having higher rates.
Source: 'Conceptions in England and Wales, 2005', Health Statistics Quarterly 33, Spring 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Zoe Uren, Dilwyn Sheers and Nirupa Dattani, 'Teenage conceptions by small area deprivation in England and Wales, 2001?2002', Health Statistics Quarterly 33, Spring 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO
Links: Articles | DfES press release | Brook press release | FPA press release | LGA press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Feb