Poverty and disadvantage can push teenagers towards parenthood according to new research
Some teenagers feel that their conscious decision to become a parent is a reasonably rational life choice given their past and the options available to them. This is according to new Joseph Rowntree Foundation research undertaken by Suzanne Cater and Dr Lester Coleman at the Trust for the Study of Adolescence. In-depth interviews in this new report examine how poverty and disadvantage impact on teenage decisions to ‘plan’ a pregnancy.
Although recognised anecdotally by some practitioners, the voices of teenagers who plan pregnancy remain largely unheard and they may have needs that are being neglected.
The UK's teenage pregnancy rate is still the highest in Western Europe. The Government's attempts to reduce this rate have largely focused on 'unplanned' accidental teenage pregnancies, due to a lack of research and knowledge about teenagers who 'plan' their pregnancies.
Many teenagers interviewed cited motherhood as a better option than the prospect of a low-paid, dead-end job. Some saw parenthood as an opportunity to change their life, gain independence and create a new identity – all within their own control.
Mothers saw parenthood as providing a chance to create a loving family (often compensating for their own bad experiences of childhood), a new purpose, sense of capability and satisfaction. Many said that their life would have been worse if they had not become a parent – due to continued family disruption and unhappiness, a growing sense of worthlessness and lack of direction.
Young fathers gave similar reasons for ‘planning’ but there were also differences, such as their own lack of a ‘father figure’ and wanting to be there for their child. They could have notably less input in the ‘planning’ stage than the mother and were more likely to regret the decision.
Many mothers spoke of their love of babies, often heightened by experience caring for other children. “I baby-sat all the time…everybody said I’d be a good mum…and I knew exactly what I was doing when I got pregnant,” explained one 18-year old mother.
Stopping the use of contraception was often seen as placing the prospect of pregnancy in the “lap of the gods”. Although the interviewees understood the purpose of contraception, many were not aware that teenagers have high fertility rates. In some cases, a miscarriage had led to a ‘planned’ pregnancy out of fear that this could impact on their ability to have children in the future. In the report, authors suggest a need for improved support after miscarriage. They found that those ‘planning’ pregnancy have different support needs to those who became pregnant unintentionally.
Lead author Suzanne Cater said: “This research has implications for teenage pregnancy reduction, by helping to identify those more likely to choose young parenthood. Highlighting the fact that not all teenage pregnancies are unplanned will help address support needs currently not being met. Using teenagers who wish they had delayed parenthood could also help inform young people who may have potentially unrealistic expectations of parenthood.”
Dr Lester Coleman, who managed the research project, said: “For the first time, the views and experiences of young people who ‘planned’ their pregnancies are being heard. Their accounts will be of great value to those working to reduce teenage pregnancy and those who support young parents.”
A minority of the sample openly regretted the decision to become pregnant. Worse finances and housing, isolation and the sheer hard work were overwhelming for some. Sharing these experiences may help other young people make better-informed decisions.
