Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood (Adolescence and Society)

Review

'This book is a brilliant and accessible account of the implementation and success of the last labour government’s teenage pregnancy strategy. It tells of the systematic combination of evidence-based strategy, innovation, collaboration, empathy and persistence that underpinned this striking public health achievement. The book is an inspiration for policymakers in any complex social policy field, and all those interested in prevention. Above all, as rates plateau and young parents and their children face disproportionately poor outcomes, it should serve as a call to action to government to reinvigorate the drive to address teenage pregnancy and consolidate the progress that was made.'Moira Wallace,Visiting Professor of Practice, Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE; Director of the Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Unit from 1997 to 2001'This is a must-read for policymakers and practitioners who are committed to taking a systems approach for improving health outcomes. The teenage pregnancy strategy was a rarity in its drive to understand the breadth of factors influencing pregnancies in young people, ensuring that the interventions and strategies developed were able to achieve real change. Understanding what happened next, the impacts beyond the lifetime of the strategy and the international perspective will help anyone addressing teenage pregnancy.'Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Women’s Health & Consultant, NHS England, UK'The importance of developing robust and appropriate measures of pregnancy intention are nicely highlighted. Generally understudied, the mental health implications of adolescent pregnancy, and most importantly, the impacts from a life course perspective to the child, mother, family, and society stand out and provide a unique niche for designing interventions for impact. Evidence-based digital tools and approaches to allow young people to regain agency in sexuality issues affecting them are a core highlight of this book, that is of utmost relevance to many low- and middle-income countries, where capitalizing on digital technologies remains an underexplored opportunity.'Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain, MD, PhD., The African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC, Nairobi, Kenya'This updated edition of Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood offers invaluable insights into a pressing social issue faced by young people today. Its publication is timely given the declining trend in condom use among European adolescents and the challenges sex educators are facing due to changing societal circumstances, including the COVID pandemic and increasing backlash. The book highlights effective policy interventions, the importance of comprehensive sex education, and the need for integrated support services for young parents. With lessons drawn from both UK and international experiences, the book is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across Europe and beyond. It provides a compelling case for evidence-based strategies, partnerships, and holistic approaches that can make a real difference in reducing teenage pregnancies and supporting young families.'Margreet de Looze, Assistant Professor, Youth Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands“Inside find an important success story – in promoting adolescent life prospects and prevention of early pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancy is influenced by social forces that shape life opportunities for education and employment and by the programs that shape adolescent access to knowledge and contraception. Social progress in a nation is fostered by enlightened political leadership and the committed leadership of individual citizens. The success of the English strategy to prevent teenage pregnancy is a testament to all of these. Alison Hadley, Venkratraman Chandra-Mouli and Roger Ingham tell an extraordinary tale of scientific understanding, visionary leadership, and long-term dedication to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. A story from which we all can learn.”John Santelli, MD, MPH, Professor, Population and Family Health and Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York City, USAReviews from the First Edition:‘This extraordinary book charts the development, implementation and evaluation of the UK Government’s highly successful Teenage Pregnancy Strategy for England, which reduced the under-18 pregnancy rate by well over 50%. It highlights the principles – of evidence, of partnership, and of the need for a holsitic approach – that brought about the change. And it signals the important role that Government can play in promoting young people’s sexual and reproductive health. Reflecting on her own experience and the voices of the strategy’s participants, Alison Hadley identifies key lessons for the future. A key resource and a compelling read. Strongly recommended to all who seek success in sexual and reproductive health.’Peter Aggleton, Scientia Professor in Education and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia, and Visiting Professor, UCL Institute of Education, London'This book offers a valuable insight into the development and implementation of a long-term strategy to successfully address a complex public health priority. As well as documenting the important detail of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and its practical application at local level, it importantly includes the voices of those involved. This brings to life the reality of delivering the programme and illustrates the extraordinary commitment of so many people to improving young people's choices. As England continues to apply the lessons and make further progress, I am delighted the learning is being shared internationally in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.'Duncan Selbie, Public Health England“The second edition of Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood provides an important update on England's effort to reduce teen conception and pregnancy rates from the original program years (1999–2018) to more recent efforts (2018–24), emphasizing young fathers and the COVID pandemic. Hadley presents a global perspective, with some comparisons and illustrative case studies from across Western Europe, USA, and other parts of the world in terms of discouraging child marriage; encouraging teen parents to return to school; reducing maternal and infant mortality, unsafe abortions, and STIs; participating in childcare and employment training opportunities; addressing inequalities, particularly through adequate housing; and increasing access to sexual and relationship education as well as mental health and contraceptive services. Sadly, despite much success, the teen pregnancy strategy was not continued as a national priority, but local initiatives have continued and receive attention here, including father engagement, supportive housing, digital access to information and online safety, alternative secondary school with childcare, accompanying young parents to services, smoking cessation, reintegration officers as specialist education support, and more. Extremely good references and a useful index; very highly recommended for all audience levels and libraries.”--E. R. Paterson, Emeritus, SUNY College at Cortland, CHOICE

Moira Wallace

'This book is a brilliant and accessible account of the implementation and success of the last labour government’s teenage pregnancy strategy. It tells of the systematic combination of evidence-based strategy, innovation, collaboration, empathy and persistence that underpinned this striking public health achievement. The book is an inspiration for policymakers in any complex social policy field, and all those interested in prevention. Above all, as rates plateau and young parents and their children face disproportionately poor outcomes, it should serve as a call to action to government to reinvigorate the drive to address teenage pregnancy and consolidate the progress that was made.'