Publisher's Synopsis
This book investigates the experience of young women who become pregnant while of school age and decide to keep their babies. A review of literature concludes that negative images of young mothers predominate. Young women?s own views have rarely been taken into account. - - A group of young mothers were interviewed for this research, which was funded by the Ormiston Trust. It was found that their experiences were more diverse than had been represented in the literature. There emerged a picture of young women making their way through an obstacle course as they cope with the shock of the pregnancy, deal with the birth and establish themselves as mothers. They are undeniably disadvantaged by many aspects of their circumstances. In spite of this, these women were fighters and survivors. What comes across is a sense of pride in what they had achieved, a sense of humour about their difficulties and a degree of wisdom about the pattern of their lives. - - The key finding is that young women who become mothers while of school age risk being discriminated against by virtue of their age, their sex and their pregnancy. Their accounts of their experiences are often discredited. The generation of negative stereotypes may arise out of concern for what is deemed to be their plight but tends to reinforce stigma and discriminatory attitudes. Inter-agency co-operation is needed to develop appropriate services and to foster positive images. Young women need to be treated with respect and their voices heard.
