Only 1% Of Boys Think They’D Make A Good Teen Dad
Shocking new statistics out today reveal that only 1% of teenage boys feel that they could be a good father at 16 or under and yet, nearly a third of teenage boys know someone who became a parent before the age of 16, regardless of their socio-economic background.
These startling new statistics come at a time when the UK still claims the title of teenage pregnancy capital of Western Europe, although it appears from this new research that teenage boys are only too aware of the impact of teen parenthood.
The survey of teenage boys aged 13-19, published today by Random House Group and children’s charity Coram, also found that 23 years old was the youngest age at which teenage boys felt they could become a father and be a good parent.
Headline Findings:
* 1 in 5 teenage boys know a teenage parent in their immediate circle of friends
* 92% of teenage boys would find it difficult to look after a baby by themselves for 24 hours
* Only 5% of teenage boys would turn to their fathers for help in raising their child; a massive 86% would choose their mums
* 95% admitted that they would struggle to provide for their child financially but 64% felt they would struggle to provide critical emotional support
* 76% felt that having a child would mean missing out on growing up themselves
* 65% of those surveyed would want to continue with school but 81% felt that having a child would impact their chances of getting a good education
The survey was commissioned in advance of today’s publication of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, the latest novel by Malorie Blackman, author of the bestselling Noughts and Crosses series. The novel looks at the story of 17-year old Dante who finds himself having to raise his baby daughter as a single-parent.
Malorie Blackman, comments: "Teenage parenthood has become a UK phenomenon and this latest research merely confirms the impact it has on young people in society.
"When you really think about it, when was the last time you heard a teenage dad’s side of the story, yet in many ways they face the same challenges as teen mums.
"That’s what drew me to the subject matter for Boys Don’t Cry: I thought it was time to look at the role that teenage dads play and it provided me with an opportunity to give them a real voice and explore the challenges they face."
Mary Rose Brady, Head of Parenting and Creative Therapies at Coram adds: "In some ways I am heartened by the figures released today.
"These teenage boys demonstrate an understanding of the complex challenges at the heart of teenage parenthood but evidence and experience tells us that those born to young parents are less likely to finish their education and are more likely to bring up their child alone and in poverty.
"Becoming a parent presents challenges at any age but as these survey results clearly show, teenage parents need an additional level of support to overcome the hurdles they face.
"Recognising and working actively to remove these challenges sits at the heart of the support we offer at Coram’s Young Parents Project."
Tagged in Parenting