The aim of this research was to use data from the Growing Up in Scotland study to explore the characteristics, circumstances and experiences of first-time mothers in Scotland aged under 20 at the time of the child‟s birth and examine how they compare with those of older mothers in two age groups - those aged 20 to 24 and those aged 25 or older.
Understanding the extent to which the challenges that these young mothers face are different to those experienced by mothers aged 20 to 24 and 25 and above helps not only to justify the extra support that teenage mothers receive but also to explore whether some of this extra support might also benefit slightly older mothers.
The findings from this report will be crucial in informing the development of the Scottish Government‟s teenage pregnancy and young parents strategy, due for publication in spring 2015.