Also see our blog/guide 'Supporting Teenage Parents.
The following is an extract from a Practice Guide written by one of our Consultants, Tracy Richards, who has worked for many years across agency boundaries supporting teenage parents.
A link to the full guide is provided below.
England's under 18 pregnancy rate is currently at its lowest level for over 20 years, but it is still unacceptably high. The evidence is clear that teenage parenthood results in poor health, under-achievement and low earnings for both the mother and baby.Children born to teenagers are much more likely to experience a range of negative outcomes in later life.
Some of the facts relating to teenage pregnancy are that the majority of teenage pregnancies are unplanned and generally about half end in abortion; half of all under 18 conceptions occur in the 20% most deprived areas; teenage mothers are 20% more likely to have no qualifications at 30 than mothers giving birth at 24 or over.
Amongst the Children/Young People at risk of becoming teenage parents are Children of teenage parents, young people in care and care leavers and Young people who are excluded, truant or underachieve at school.
Some of the risky behaviours that may result in teenage pregnancy are early onset of sexual activity; poor contraceptive use and mental health/conduct disorder/involvement in crime.
Agencies/professionals play a key role in reducing teenage pregnancy e.g.
- By taking it seriously and having an established/ongoing strategy involving all key agencies.
- Accepting and promoting that it is an issue for boys too.
- Contributing towards equipping young people with the skills knowledge, values and attitudes to make positive and informed choices about their relationships and sexual health; being proactive in conversations, not‘one-off’ conversations but threaded throughout any interactions with young people.
- Sending out the right messages to young people, for example, 'Your body is your own and saying “No” is okay’.
- Providing information for young people e.g. where to find local sexual health services, advising on the best forms of contraception and encouraging young people to discuss issue with their parent/carer.
- Exploring ways to work with and involve parents/carers, and provide them with useful information and advice e.g. start early- parents/carers will find it less awkward if they introduce the topic when their child is very young.
To view/download the full Practice Guide Click Here
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Family Planning Association
Was this useful or do you have any comments or suggestions? If so, please Contact Us.
Was this useful or do you have any comments or suggestions? If so, please Contact Us.
This is a really useful and insightful guide, I manage a project providing support to young people, mostly in care, this will be useful to my staff too. I am definitely interested in following more blogs of this sort.
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to hear when you post the next guide, I work with young people many of whom become pregnant and this has really stimulated my thoughts; thanks
ReplyDelete