A report examined the needs and experiences of young fathers aged 16 to 24 in England, and the joint role of statutory and voluntary services in supporting them. It said that parenting support services were 'mother centred' and left young fathers feeling 'worthless and marginalized'.
Source: Jessica Cundy, Are We Nearly There Yet, Dad? Supporting young dads journeys through fatherhood, Barnardo's
Links: Report | Barnardos press release | BBC report | Nursery World report
Date: 2012-Dec
An article examined the distribution of established risk variables for teenage motherhood. There was no core of easily identifiable multiply disadvantaged girls who went on to constitute the majority of teenage mothers. Although individual risk factors were unlikely to enable targeting, a composite might have some limited potential, albeit with a low threshold for 'risk' and with the caveat that evidence from one population might not inform good targeting in another. It was likely that universal approaches would have more impact.
Source: Dylan Kneale, Adam Fletcher, Richard Wiggins, and Chris Bonell, 'Distribution and determinants of risk of teenage motherhood in three British longitudinal studies: implications for targeted prevention interventions', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 67 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Dec
An article examined the conditions associated with the presence or absence of a narrowing gap in teenage pregnancy rates between deprived local authority areas in England and the national average. A higher proportion of black and minority-ethnic groups in the local population was found to be a sufficient although not necessary condition for narrowing to have occurred. Good commissioning practice – combined with other conditions – was associated (surprisingly) with areas where the gap had not been narrowing.
Source: Tim Blackman, 'Exploring explanations for local reductions in teenage pregnancy rates in England: an approach using qualitative comparative analysis', Social Policy and Society, Volume 12 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Dec
A report said that over one-half of unplanned pregnancies happened because people were not using sufficient contraception. It highlighted a need for more adequate sex education in schools and improved access to contraception for those aged over 25.
Source: Gail Beer and Matt James, The Morning After: A cross party inquiry into unplanned pregnancy, 2020health
Links: Report | Summary | BHA press release | Brook press release | FPA press release | RCOG/FSRH press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Dec
An article said that age at entry to motherhood was increasingly socially polarized. Early childbearing typically occurred among women from disadvantaged backgrounds relative to women with later first births. Differentials in children's cognitive and behavioural development at age 5 could be due to difficulties facing immature mothers: but much of it was attributable to young mothers' social origins, or inequalities apparent at the age 0 survey, which might also have had earlier origins. The developmental penalty left to be attributed to the mother's age as such was, at most, modest.
Source: Denise Hawkes and Heather Joshi, 'Age at motherhood and child development: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort', National Institute Economic Review, Volume 222 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined how associations between deprivation and under-18 conceptions, along with subsequent abortions, had changed with the recent fall in teenage pregnancy rates in England. Although under-18 conceptions had fallen between 1998 and 2010, inequalities in rates between the most and least deprived local authorities had remained undiminished. At the same time, abortion had become an increasingly common outcome of under-18 conceptions.
Source: David Conrad, 'Deprivation-based inequalities in under-18 conception rates and the proportion of under-18 conceptions leading to abortion in England, 1998-2010', Journal of Public Health, Volume 34 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
A paper estimated the causal effect of being born to a teenage mother on children's outcomes in Europe. The findings suggested that the child's probability of post-compulsory education decreased when born to a teenage mother, and that the daughters of teenage mothers were significantly more likely to become teenage mothers themselves.
Source: Maria Navarro Paniagua and Ian Walker, The Impact of Teenage Motherhood on the Education and Fertility of their Children: Evidence for Europe, Discussion Paper 6995, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Nov
A systematic literature review looked at long-term outcomes of a teenage birth upon the mother, father, or child. Limited evidence was found to be available. Econometric studies suggested that effective interventions to prevent teenage pregnancies would not eradicate the poorer long-term socio-economic outcomes often associated with early motherhood. Thus policy should focus on reducing initial disadvantage in addition to preventing teenage pregnancy.
Source: Hazel Squires, Monica Hernandez Alava, Nick Payne, Lindsay Blank, Susan Baxter, and Louise Preston, How Much Does Teenage Parenthood Affect Long Term Outcomes? A systematic review, HEDS Discussion Paper 12.13, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Oct
An article said that attempts to reduce high rates of teenage pregnancy and motherhood were unlikely to succeed if young women continued to face environmental risk and uncertainty. Environmental risk, including factors such as crime and vandalism, was a clear predictor of early pregnancy. Rather than investing in educational programmes, money would be better spent on the maintenance of at-risk neighbourhoods.
Source: Thomas Dickins, Sarah Johns, and Abby Chipman, 'Teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom: a behavioral ecological perspective', Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, Volume 6 Issue 3
Links: Article | Kent University press release
Date: 2012-Oct
A new book examined the transition to parenthood, analyzing and comparing the biographies of mothers and fathers in seven European countries. It considered how policies and practices at the institutional level affected parents' daily experiences of juggling work and family life.
Source: Ann Nilsen, Julia Brannen, and Suzan Lewis (eds), Transitions to Parenthood in Europe: A comparative life course perspective, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Jul
A report provided an overview of statistics (from the Millennium Cohort Study and other, comparable, data sources) about the attitudes, experiences, and challenges faced by new parents in each of the four countries of the United Kingdom.
Source: Lisa Bunting and Susan Galloway, What the Millennium Cohort Study Can Tell Us About the Challenges New Parents Face: Statistics for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Apr
A new book examined the educational experiences and aspirations of pregnant schoolgirls and schoolgirl mothers. Young mothers found themselves disparaged and 'pushed to the school margins' – despite inclusive policy and a national strategy to support them to complete their education. The author called for recognition of a greater range of differences among young people, and for the development of broader conceptualizations of social inclusion and exclusion.
Source: Kerry Vincent, Schoolgirl Pregnancy, Motherhood and Education: Dealing with difference, Trentham Books
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Feb