Brave Little Bear

Dealing with unexpected pregnancy

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Endorsed by mothers, Marcia Hines (Aust Idol Judge) and Marina Prior (International Opera Singer).
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“This could save your teenagers life...every teenager and their parent needs to read this book”
Robin Moore, Professional Speaker

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Resources for Principals, Teachers and Health Care Professionals

At the moment in Australia, approximately 25,000 women fall pregnant in their teens, each year. For women who decide to keep their babies, my aim is that Brave Little Bear; The book [Link??] and the web-site will provide a source of inspiration and support, where they are encouraged to continue their education, find perseverance and a great future even against adversity. I am a Registered Nurse, and am passionate about seeing these young women supported. Please find below how our roles as teachers and health care professionals can help these young women.

How can my school help women in these circumstances?
There is a brilliant program, which has been undertaken by AWE (Australian Women Educators); this program aims at keeping pregnant students and young mothers in education. It is often facilitated by a Family Child Health Nurse in collaboration with teachers, and has shown to do very well statistically. The aim of the program is to encourage secondary schools in Australia to develop a policy that addresses the needs of these students. For more information on how to develop such a policy visit, http://www.awe.asn.au/ppp.php

Have many schools in Australia developed such a policy?
Yes, most states have developed their own policies with this, however they are often not utilised in our schools. The only two states that currently do not address this policy are Western Australia and Northern Territory.

Schools that have successfully implemented a policy addressing the above, as found in the AWE, Pregnancy, Parenting and School Completion project are:

• Albert Park Flexi School, Qld
• Brisbane School of Distance Education
• Christies Beach High School, SA
• Claremont College, TAS
• Cleveland State High School, QLD
• Gepps Cross Girls High School, SA
• Kedron State High School, QLD
• Marsden State High School, QLD
• Para West Adult Re-entry College, SA
• Plumpton High School, NSW
• Preston Girls High, Vic
• Shine, SA
• Tasmanian Open Learning Service, TAS
• Young Mothers for Young Women, QLD
• Young Parents Program, QLD

For more information on the specific policies developed in Australian states, go to; ????

By developing such a policy does this condone teenage pregnancy?
The following extract is taken from Step by Step, Side by Side by Kaye Bouldon (AWE), 2002:

When Glenn Sargeant, Principal of Plumpton High School (NSW) first proposed a programme of getting pregnant teens back into school there were voices of discontent. "People were concerned the school would be seen as promoting teenage pregnancy. In fact, seven years later the program has done the exact opposite," Glen says "Students will tell you having pregnant teens and young mums in the school makes them realise just how hard parenthood is and that while they want children, seeing these women do it has definitely put them off for quite a few years. Our students' respect for young mother's has increased tremendously."

Are some young women more likely than others to give birth?
Research has also shown (AWE, 2001) that girls in junior secondary who are frequently absent without explanation are 3 times more likely than their peers to become pregnant.

It is also a fact that teenagers from all social classes and all cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds become pregnant.

AWE has also found that teenage parenthood is greatest among those who have grown up in poverty and disadvantage. Rates are higher for women who:

• have been cared for in state or foster care
• are the daughters of teenage mums
• are excluded from school, not working or training
• have been sexually abused
• are from low socio-economic backgrounds
• are suffering from mental health problems
• have been involved in criminal activity

What are the social issues in teenage parenting?

NOW, 2006

• Little likelihood of completing school
• Difficult to access training and work
• Often need to access cheap public housing at a distance from social networks
• Often enter a cycle of welfare dependency
• Money troubles intensify social isolation
• More likely to be involved in unstable relationships
• At greater risk of violence in relationships

What are the health issues in teenage pregnancy?

• Exhaustion and feelings of incompetency may be heightened by health problems such as depression, and other stress-related illnesses.
• The stress of caring for small children is often heightened by a need to demonstrate and "prove" that they are competent mothers - being hypersensitive to others' judgments and criticisms.
• Fear that welfare authorities will take the baby away - especially if they have been in care themselves.

Attention Teachers and Health Care Professionals:
"The question for all of us who are involved with and care about young women is whether it needs to be this way. Schools can make an enormous difference to the chance young mothers and children have to a brighter future, (Bouldon, 2002)"

Conclusions for us as Professionals working with these women.
"One of the most effective ways to minimise the risk of such outcomes (as outlined above) is to support young pregnant women and young mothers to remain connected to schooling…not only is the degree of social isolation lessened by remaining at school, but the experience of some schools suggest that becoming a young mother increases a young woman's focus on building a secure future for herself and her child… If she can remain at school in the first place, (Bouldon, 2002)."

It is evident and statistically supported that our efforts as leaders in our positions as teachers and health care professionals can greatly attribute to change for these young mothers, and indeed the down turn in teenage pregnancy in Australia.

You and I can do so much for these women in partnership together. Please use my book, Brave Little Bear and this web site as a support to your personal contribution within your workplace. I look forward to hearing how your schools and young mothers groups are caring for and empowering pregnant teens for the bright future they deserve. Both of your professional bodies are now armed with new resources to use; this web site and my book. Resources that I desperately wished were available when I was walking this journey… I encourage any schools and community health departments to update me with any programs that would be useful to link to my site. Please contact me here.

I also encourage you to preview my book, Brave Little Bear: The inspirational story of a teenage mother. This book has been launched by The Honourable Lara Giddings (Minister for Health), in Tasmania and also has endorsements from well-known celebrities Marcia Hines and Marina Prior. It is designed to be used as a resource for professionals such as you, in schools and in hospitals.