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Teenage Mothers, Stigma and Their ‘Presentations of Self’

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  • Kyla Ellis-Sloan

Abstract

This article contributes to research that seeks to understand experiences of teenage motherhood. Specifically, it focuses on the stigma attached to teenage pregnancy and parenting. Negative stereotypes continue to dominate understandings of teenage pregnancy. Despite research to the contrary, teenage mothering is popularly linked to welfare dependency, promiscuity and irresponsibility. As a result, young mothers report experiences of stigma and discrimination. This paper builds on evidence of such experiences by using first-hand qualitative accounts of young parents to attempt to understand how young mothers cope with a stigmatising identity. Drawing on the work of Erving Goffman (1963 ,1967,1969), this paper describes how young mothers monitor the presentation of self in order to deflect judgment and blame. The evidence demonstrates that stigma is still an important and influential part of the experience of young motherhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyla Ellis-Sloan, 2014. "Teenage Mothers, Stigma and Their ‘Presentations of Self’," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 19(1), pages 16-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:19:y:2014:i:1:p:16-28
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.3269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Macvarish, 2010. "Understanding the Significance of the Teenage Mother in Contemporary Parenting Culture," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(4), pages 99-105, November.
    2. Kaplan, Greg & Goodman, Alissa & Walker, Ian, 2004. "Understanding the Effects of Early Motherhood in Britain: The Effects on Mothers," IZA Discussion Papers 1131, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

    1. Siu-Ming To & Lei Yang & Ming-Wai Yan, 2022. "The Presence of Meaning in Parenthood, Perceived Social Support, and Happiness of Mothers Living in Hong Kong: A Comparative Study on Younger and Older Mothers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, February.

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