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
A report was published of a study of 20 children who were helping to provide care for parents with serious mental health problems. The children were given disposable cameras in order to create photographic diaries of their caring, and other meaningful experiences.
Source: Jo Aldridge and Darren Sharp, Pictures of Young Caring, Young Carers Research Group/Loughborough University (01509 223383)
Links: 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