Background to the Research

• Unplanned teenage pregnancy and parenthood is a challenging issue to address. Whilst some teenage parents and their children live happy and fulfilled lives, far too many do not. The needs of pregnant and parenting teenagers vary greatly depending on individual circumstances including age, social support and financial situation. For those who are particularly young with little or no family or financial support it can and does cause considerable distress, not only to the young person concerned, but also to their families.
• For some time there has been growing concern among statutory, voluntary and community organisations about the impact of teenage parenthood and the consequences for the young mother and her baby.
• On 16 June 1999, Mr John McFaul, Minister for Health and Social Services, identified teenage parenthood as one of the four priorities to be addressed within the Promoting Social Inclusion initiative. As such, it was taken forward as an inter-departmental issue. Consequently, a multi-sectoral Working Group was established to address the issue of teenage parenthood here. The group was asked to develop a co-ordinated strategy aimed at reducing teenage births and supporting teenage parents and their children.
  

Research Approach

• The Working Group met on eight occasions. Subgroups consulted with a broad range of stakeholders and provided background information on specific issues.
• In addition, a one-day workshop and a series of focus groups permitted wider consultation with professionals, voluntary organisations, churches and young people.
  

Main Findings

• There are approximately 1700 births to teenage mothers each year. Those areas experiencing higher rates of teenage pregnancy are also those recognised as areas of deprivation. However, regardless of their background, all sexually active teenagers are at risk of becoming a parent.
• Teenage parents face limited prospects in the areas of education, training and eventual employment. Health risks to teenage mothers include high blood pressure, anaemia, depression, isolation and poor nutrition.
• The consequences for teenage fathers range from becoming financially responsible for their child to experiencing emotional problems at being separated from their children if access is not permitted.
• Those who learn about sex mainly from school are less likely to become sexually active under age than those whose family and friends were their main source. Good, comprehensive relationships and sexuality education does not make young people more likely to become sexually at a young age.
• Personal development should be a pivotal aspect of teenage programmes as confidence and positive self-esteem will underpin so many decisions made by young people.
• Peer education offers access to and significant influence within disadvantaged communities and excluded groups.
• Education is the key to improving the life opportunities of all young people. While some schools are very supportive others implicitly discourage young pregnant women from staying at school. Young women of compulsory school age are legally required to remain in education. Therefore, they must be offered whatever support is needed to make this possible.
• The lack of childcare provision is cited by most young mothers as the single most important factor in determining whether or not they can return o school after the birth of their baby.
• Young peoples' perceptions of family planning services and concerns about confidentiality can result in their reluctance to seek information and advice and to use contraceptive services.
• Young people from minority ethnic communities may face additional barriers in regard to attitudes towards teenage sexuality and teenage pregnancy and access to information and services. In particular, there may be difficulties in accessing information and literature in their own language.

Recommendations

• Community based programmes and courses on parent/child communication should be further developed.
• Pregnant and parenting teenagers of compulsory school age must be encouraged and enabled to remain in education. Flexible educational arrangements should be available to meet the individual needs of all pregnant/parenting teenagers wishing to remain in education.
• A Sexual Health Promotion Strategy should be prepared with emphasis on the needs of young people including the specific needs of young men
• Guidelines on Relationship and Sexuality Education should be disseminated and implemented as soon as possible.
• Staff working with young people should receive training on communicating with young people appropriate to their age and life experiences etc.
• Updated guidelines on the issue of confidentiality should be developed and disseminated to all health care professionals, administrators, educators and others who are likely to have dealings with young people about relations and sexual matters.
• A mechanism for the funding of childcare for parenting teenagers who wish to remain in education and whose families cannot help with childcare should be considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Early Years.