Abstract
The article focuses on selected predicators of successful and fulfilling teenage motherhood. It contains analysis of qualitative data, obtained through comprehensive interviews and field notes from social work practice, based on the personal experiences of teenage mothers and a court appointed family curator. Using herstory perspective, it aims to present positive examples of teenage motherhood as a source of empowerment and independence, to unveil and combat stereotypical views on adolescent mothers in Poland. Moreover, the authors discuss systemic issues and challenges as well as a social stigma created by public opinion and aim to challenge harmful stereotyping. The article contributes to social work practice for the purpose of enhancement of the international comparative studies in this field.
Highlights
In Polish pedagogical and social work discourse, teenage pregnancy is vilified and often shown as one of the societal evils, characteristic of poor and uneducated social groups (c.f. Skowrońska-Pućka, 2016; Izdebski et al 2011)
Regardless of the age of becoming a mother, the desire to provide the best for the child and to create and maintain a bond was observed amongst the interlocutors, and in the majority of cases observed by the court family curator
Success of a teenage mother was built on many contributions from external sources, including social workers, who were often perceived as ‘necessary evil’ rather than a ‘guardian angel’
Summary
In Polish pedagogical and social work discourse, teenage pregnancy is vilified and often shown as one of the societal evils, characteristic of poor and uneducated social groups (c.f. Skowrońska-Pućka, 2016; Izdebski et al 2011). Kinship as a source of support for both a teenage mother and her baby was highlighted in our study as a key resource when confronting the paradoxes in the Polish legal system, linked to children’s rights, parental rights and pro-life choices. If the teenage mother gets married, the court will grant her parental rights and obligations to bring up her children as if she were an adult. Another problem is that if the intercourse occurs between a 14 year old girl and an 18 year old or older man, the act is treated as a criminal offence, which may limit the willingness to take paternal responsibility in order to avoid police custody
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
