The minority group that I have chosen is young Mothers, a group that is the focus of much media and parliamentary attention. However, the majority of this attention is negative, which can lead to social exclusion and, as a result, inequality (Duncan, Edwards and Alexander, 2010, pp.1-3). On the topic of social exclusion, David Byrne (1999) said that inequality and exclusion happen “all the time” and that it “determines the lives of the individuals and collectives who are excluded and those of the individuals and collectives who are not”; hereby meaning that people are either led by society or ignored by it. In addition, Dorling (2010, p.13), insists that social inequality “persists because of a continued belief in the tenets of injustice”,
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In modern society, the discussions and debates over young Mothers seem to be endless, something that is (arguably) worsened by policy and media. The media often attempt to endorse the misconception that the number of young pregnancies has vastly increased over the past few decades, however this is untrue (BBC News, 2014). Another unfounded view, discussed by Ellis-Sloan (2014), is that “becoming a teenage mother brings with it an entitlement to housing and welfare benefits”. As a result, a stigma is created, seeing pregnancy “as a choice motivated by greed, immorality or laziness”. Claims and stigmas such as these, which are not based upon fact and evidence, can be seen as being a factor in young Mothers not being able to experience equality. Linking this to the financial support that young Mothers receive, eligibility for benefits and social housing depend on each situations individual circumstances (GOV, 2015). In conjunction, it is evidential that some young Mothers are left confused and, at times, unaware of what benefits they are entitled too. As a result, charity organisations, such as Gingerbread (2013), provide an easy-to-use system that helps the parents determine what they are entitled …show more content…
A key part of these schemes is ensuring that young Mothers, under the age of twenty, continue with their studies and gain their qualifications. When referencing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (McLeod, 2014), it is somewhat explicit to see the benefits of young Mothers staying in education, as it can provide the opportunity to become more equipped to meet the needs of their child; whether this is through expanding their self-actualisation or improving the chance of being able to secure a good job, due to attaining qualifications. One scheme, which covers the cost of childcare (for every child), whilst the young Mother attends an educational setting, is Care to Learn (Department for Education, 2013). An independent survey, carried out in 2010, found that the scheme is a highly beneficial resource for young parents. Adding to this, 73% of teen parents said that without the support, provided by Care to Learn, they would not have been able to remain in education (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010). Another scheme that sets out to support young Mothers, is the Family Nurse Partnership (BBC News, 2013). The scheme aids young Mothers by providing nurses that provide support, throughout the pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life, with health measures and parenting skills. The support also includes advice on diet, education and
In modern society, the discussions and debates over young Mothers seem to be endless, something that is (arguably) worsened by policy and media. The media often attempt to endorse the misconception that the number of young pregnancies has vastly increased over the past few decades, however this is untrue (BBC News, 2014). Another unfounded view, discussed by Ellis-Sloan (2014), is that “becoming a teenage mother brings with it an entitlement to housing and welfare benefits”. As a result, a stigma is created, seeing pregnancy “as a choice motivated by greed, immorality or laziness”. Claims and stigmas such as these, which are not based upon fact and evidence, can be seen as being a factor in young Mothers not being able to experience equality. Linking this to the financial support that young Mothers receive, eligibility for benefits and social housing depend on each situations individual circumstances (GOV, 2015). In conjunction, it is evidential that some young Mothers are left confused and, at times, unaware of what benefits they are entitled too. As a result, charity organisations, such as Gingerbread (2013), provide an easy-to-use system that helps the parents determine what they are entitled …show more content…
A key part of these schemes is ensuring that young Mothers, under the age of twenty, continue with their studies and gain their qualifications. When referencing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (McLeod, 2014), it is somewhat explicit to see the benefits of young Mothers staying in education, as it can provide the opportunity to become more equipped to meet the needs of their child; whether this is through expanding their self-actualisation or improving the chance of being able to secure a good job, due to attaining qualifications. One scheme, which covers the cost of childcare (for every child), whilst the young Mother attends an educational setting, is Care to Learn (Department for Education, 2013). An independent survey, carried out in 2010, found that the scheme is a highly beneficial resource for young parents. Adding to this, 73% of teen parents said that without the support, provided by Care to Learn, they would not have been able to remain in education (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010). Another scheme that sets out to support young Mothers, is the Family Nurse Partnership (BBC News, 2013). The scheme aids young Mothers by providing nurses that provide support, throughout the pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life, with health measures and parenting skills. The support also includes advice on diet, education and