Teenage parents "Imagine: you can't get a drink but you can say that you have to get home for the babysitter."

Views of a Teenage Parent My first pregnancy was at 14 but my first successful pregnancy was when i was 15 and i gave birth at 16. My little boy is now 18 months and he means the world to me and his dad. Judging teenage parents without knowing anything about them is wrong. Older women are just as likely to become bad mums and neglect their children as us young mums are. Everyone is different.

Perceptions of Teenage Parents What do you think are the common misconceptions of teenage parents?

Media; teenage parents Portrayal of teenage parents Mother at 12 Benefits and teenage parents Promiscuous scroungers or loving parents

Reasons for Teenage Pregnancy Unsettled background and bad experiences at school Opportunity to change their life, gain independence and a new identity Neighbourhood characteristics – deprivation and local acceptance of young parenthood Opportunity to create a loving family (compensate for own bad experiences)

Reasons for Teenage Pregnancy Motherhood is preferable to having a ‘low paid’ and ‘dead end’ job Life would have been worse if they had not become a parent (drugs, worsening alcohol, growing sense of worthlessness) Young fathers – lack of a ‘father figure’ and ‘wanting to be there for their child’ (Cater and Coleman 2006)

Activity… Can you recognise any of these characteristics / reasons in these teenage parents Teenage parents

Factors for Successful Support Integrated approach; Consultation with teenagers; Acknowledging young people’s skills and aspirations as parent Flexibility and consistency; The availability of suitable childcare; Sympathetic staff and open-minded.

Activity Watch the following video What strategies do you think you could use to engage and communicate with these teenagers What do you think are the barriers?

Barriers to Participation Anticipate or have been faced with judgemental and negative attitudes from health and social care agencies Induced defensiveness - cannot take the risk of experiencing further scrutiny or judgement of their ability to be good parents.

Policy ?????? Parenting Alone Parenting Alone (full report) Positive for Youth What do think about these ideas?

References Cater, S. and Coleman, L. (2006) ‘Planned’ teenage pregnancy: Views and experiences of young people from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation