‘You've got to grow up when you've got a kid’: Marginalized young women's accounts of motherhood

Abstract

Teenage motherhood has been a source of considerable debate in policy and media circles in recent years. This paper explores the meanings of teenage motherhood for young women who were mothers before the age of 21, who were living in economically deprived areas of England and most of whom had been in residential or foster care. Qualitative interviews were carried out at several sites across England, with a total of 33 young women taking part in group interviews and one-to-one interviews. The accounts of the young women suggest that they talk about motherhood in three main ways: as 'hardship and reward', 'growing up and responsibility' and 'doing things differently'. It is argued that these ways of talking about motherhood present a different picture of teenage motherhood from that of dominant discourses. Furthermore, the young women are active in negotiating and constructing their own identities as mothers, carers and women.

Patterns and Perceptions of Maternal Alcohol Use among Women with Pre-School Aged Children: A Qualitative Exploration of Focus Group Data

“…Consistent with previous research [20][21][22], several mothers described their alcohol consumption in relation to stressful life events and used alcohol as a mechanism to cope and as a means of escapism. In comparison, a number of mothers described their alcohol use as a reward for having coped with the difficulties they faced bringing up children and were more inclined to refer to the pleasurable aspects of alcohol use.…”

“…Studies suggest that alcohol was seen by disadvantaged mothers as a means of escapism, a way to cope with life stress and general negativity [20][21][22]. However, qualitative research has also linked negative childhood experiences to abstinence and strict regulations on drinking in the home among disadvantaged mothers [23].…”

“…However, qualitative research has also linked negative childhood experiences to abstinence and strict regulations on drinking in the home among disadvantaged mothers [23]. Qualitative and multi-methods research conducted in England and Sweden has shown how advantaged mothers used alcohol as a symbolic marker of their time free from childcare responsibilities, for pleasure and relaxation, and as a reward for coping with the demands of motherhood [21,24].…”

Experiences of youth who transition to adulthood out of care: Developing a theoretical framework

“…Biological mothers frequently served as antirole models for young mothers out of foster care, for what not to do as a parent (Pryce & Samuels, 2010;Rolfe, 2008). These mothers also reported feeling pressure to "prove themselves" as good mothers, due to their childhood histories (Haight, Finet, Bamba, & Helton, 2009;Rolfe, 2008).…”

Results of the First Steps study: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of the Group Family Nurse Partnership (gFNP) programme compared with usual care in improving outcomes for high-risk mothers and their children and preventing abuse

“…This research outlines the personal vulnerabilities and structural challenges faced by this group, 147,149,150 but also notes some more positive aspects of parenthood. Becoming a mother was reported as presenting an opportunity 'to set "right" the 'wrong of their past' 151 in terms of both young people's own family history and in motivating them to stabilise their lifestyle and circumstances.…”