Becoming Responsible

Abstract

Through considering the influence that class and culture have on the experiences of young mothers, this paper will argue that human services aimed at supporting pregnant teenagers and young mothers must take into account three distinct but related issues. These include: how political, social and local discourses that surround teenage pregnancy, young motherhood and responsibility influence decisions regarding young motherhood and abortion; the ways in which working-class and poor young mothers demonstrate agency through the decision-making process; and finally, the importance of developing sexual and maternal health services that reflect the social location of working-class and poor young women.