Teenage pregnancies : the impact on the families

Abstract

Having the opportunity to enter University, I chose the career of Social Work. My first placement was at the Schoolgirl Mothers' Unit. It was an unforgettable experience and this fact encouraged me to do my dissertation on Teenage Pregnancies. This study is to examine the following main areas of teenage pregnancies: a) The psychological impact of teenage pregnancies upon the adverse members of the family, including the teenage mother. b) The social stresses that these members go through, together with the changes that take place in their lives, c) And finally, how we can improve the services that already exist for teenage mothers and their families. The methodology of my study is based upon a structured questionnaire, which I held with the different members of the family. Through this questionnaire, I will outline how teenage pregnancies affects the lives of the family members, especially that of the teenager herself. Finally the last chapter will identify the needs of the respondents and how they view the services that already exists. Together with my evaluation, other professionals and also that of the respondents, I will put forward my suggestions for a better service, which is, ultimately the aim of my study, that of improving and providing a better service for our clients.