This book explores the experiences of pregnant teenagers, their partners, and midwives, from pregnancy realisation through the early years of motherhood. It examines changing attitudes to female sexuality and moral discourses on adolescent subjectivity especially as these pertain to teenage motherhood.

'In this timely and original book, Helen Stapleton provides a compelling account of the lives of teenage mothers. She puts the young women centre stage, drawing on interviews and observations to describe their everyday worlds and relationships with parents, partners and health professionals. Surviving Teenage Motherhood is an engaging book, rich in insight for social scientists and for health care providers.' - Professor Hilary Graham, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK

Autorentext

HELEN STAPLETON is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia. A qualified midwife, she previously worked in both public and private sectors. Her research interests, and publications, focus on motherhood and parenting cultures, sexuality and reproduction, and body image and identity. Helen is a member of various professional organisations and a former board member of the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth, University of Sheffield, UK.

Inhalt
Introduction Teenage Pregnancy, Motherhood and Family Life Introducing the Teenagers and their Significant Others How it Happened - Pregnancy Realisation and Disclosure Through Pregnancy Labour and Birth Narratives 'Chucked in the Deep End': Mothering in the Early Postnatal Period Mothering in Early Childhood: Everyday Practices and Identity Formation Looking Back, and Looking Forward