Young parents

Scotland has a high rate of teenage pregnancy and abortion, both of which are linked to poverty, deprivation and poor educational outcomes. In recent years, initiatives like the Healthy Respect demonstration project have sought to address this by targeting information and advice to empower young people. For more information on young people's sexual health and teenage pregnancy, please visit our Health issues section.

Primary care services can help young people to make informed choices when considering whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy. It is important that health professionals are non-judgemental and approachable to encourage young people to come forward for advice and help when they need it. Young men should be made to feel as included as possible whenever it is appropriate to involve them in decision-making.

It should be noted that becoming a parent can be a positive choice for young people. Those young women and their partners who do decide to proceed with their pregnancies will need support from health and other services to enable them to cope with the responsibilities of parenthood.

Barnardo's Paisley Threads offer support to young parents who are setting up home for the first time. The Corner, which is featured in our Case studies section, also supports young parents and provides information on housing.