New report on teenagers and abortion
By Joseph Rowntree Foundation
June 30, 2004

Explaining national variations in teenage abortion and motherhood

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has today published A matter of choice?, a report by Ellie Lee, Steven Clements, Roger Ingham and Nicole Stone.

The report focuses on the proportion of young women under the age of 18 who become pregnant and choose to terminate their pregnancy, which varies dramatically across local authorities. This report is based on the first major study to address why such variation occurs and provides detailed evidence about the relationship between social deprivation and pregnancy outcomes.

Focusing on England, Scotland and Wales, the research draws from existing data sets; surveys of GPs, teenage pregnancy coordinates and hospital consultants; and interviews with young mothers and young women who had had terminations. It also notes the positive aspects of motherhood for many young women who continue with their pregnancies. The authors call for changes to existing abortion services in the UK and highlights the implications for policy.

The report is available as a free PDF or can be purchased as a paperback, price £14.95 plus postage and packing, from http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=612. If you would like to receive a paperback copy for review purposes, please contact:

Jenni Laycock
Publications Officer
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Homestead
40 Water End
York YO30 6WP
T: 01904 615927
F: 01904 615922
E: mailto:jenni.laycock@jrf.org.uk