Adolescent motherhood in an Australian context

Nicola Sheeran; Liz Jones; Lisa Farnell; Jennifer Rowe

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Adolescent motherhood in an Australian context

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Adolescent motherhood in an Australian context

Nicola Sheeran, Liz Jones, Lisa Farnell and Jennifer Rowe

Journal of Applied Youth Studies, Vol.1(3), pp.41-54

2016

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

Public Health and Health Services

adolescent motherhood

Australia

young mothers

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Adolescent motherhood has historically been conceptualised as a social problem requiring intervention, particularly in the US and UK where the issue has headlined policy for several decades. We draw on Australian and international literature to explore constructions of adolescent motherhood in Australia. We interrogate thecommon construction of adolescent motherhood as a primarily age-based problem and examine alternate discourses that could influence policy. We argue that constructing adolescent motherhood as an age-based problem perpetuates stereotypes and stigma and is potentially damaging to young mothers. We conclude that policy and funding decision makers need to reconsider how they are conceptualising the issue. Recommendations for addressing this include acknowledging the heterogeneous experiences of young mothers, reframing the issue as one of disadvantage rather than age, and shifting from a deficit to a strengths-based dialogue.

Details

Title: Adolescent motherhood in an Australian context
Authors: Nicola Sheeran (Author) - Griffith University
Liz Jones (Author) - Griffith University
Lisa Farnell (Author) - Griffith University
Jennifer Rowe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of Applied Youth Studies, Vol.1(3), pp.41-54
Publisher: Centre for Applied Youth Research Inc.
Date published: 2016
ISSN: 2204-9193
Copyright note: Copyright © The Authors 2016. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The final definitive version is available at: http://cayr.info/jays-v-1-n-3/
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450702902621
Output Type: Journal article

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