The baby of the 14-year-old boy who had middle England aghast when he got his 12-year-old girlfriend pregnant last year is due in March. The boy has promised to stand by the mother of his child but will he? We all know that young single fathers, be they 14 or 24, are feckless and irresponsible. Or are they?
The truth, says Justin Rolph, director of the Mancroft Advice Project, an information, advice and counselling centre in Norwich for young people aged 11 to 25, could not be more different.
'It is not that young fathers abandon their children, but that maternity services, peers, and the mother's family and even the mother herself abandon the young father,' he says.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
