This section of the research focuses on the point whenyoung people become pregnant and their experiencesthrough the pregnancy.It links the key themes emerging from the literature reviewwith the perspectives and experiences of teenagersin Northern Tasmania. This includes teenagers whoparticipated in the survey, discussions with teenageparents through the focus groups, individual interviewsand discussions with the service providers who workwith them. The research at the Northern Tasmania levelhas captured young people’s perspectives regardless ofwhether they are sexually active, pregnant or parenting.The key themes emerging from the literature and localconsultations about teenage pregnancy are:• Impact of socio-economic disadvantage;• Health outcomes;• Education outcomes;• Barriers to accessing medical, health and supportservices;• Accommodation; and• The importance and place of relationships.52
Setting the scene - a local case studyCASE STUDY 2Travis – father of Arielle 3 years and Dylan 8 monthsSexually ActiveTravis’s girlfriend of 2 years, Kayla, fell pregnantwhen he was 19 and she was 17 years. Travis hadleft school after year 10 and was in the last year ofhis mechanics apprenticeship. Kayla was in Grade 12and had intended to study aged care at TAFE.They both lived at home but spent quite a bit of time atTravis’s friends’ places.While they didn’t exactly plan to fall pregnant they hadspoken about having a family after Travis had finishedhis apprenticeship and was earning a full wage andKayla had completed her studies and was working.They wanted to be “set up” before they had a baby - ina house, with a car and fulltime work. They got carriedaway once and didn’t use a condom and but didn’tthink it would matter because they assumed it wouldtake a few months at least to fall pregnant. However,as Travis says: “...it only takes once and you can, andprobably will, get pregnant.”Travis learnt most about relationships, sex, sexualhealth and contraception by talking to his mates andfrom the internet and from media such as TV showsand the movies. He also had a conversation with hismother about the importance of using contraceptionwhen he was 13 years. He remembers having sexeducation some time in primary school and again inGrade 10. However the strongest impressions andknowledge came from talking to his mates and media.In hindsight Travis says... “that if and/or when a coupleare going to have sex they should be prepared,should be on the same page and to be aware that theimage about sex and sexuality portrayed in the mediais completely wrong and a fantasy-nothing is furtherfrom the truth.”<strong>Pregnancy</strong>When Kayla thought she might be pregnant Traviswent with her to the doctor. After the pregnancy wasconfirmed he rang his sister to tell her first. A fewweeks later they spoke face to face with his parentsand then with her parents. Travis’s parents werepretty shocked but, after Kayla argued with her ownparents about wanting to continue with the pregnancy,Travis’s parents were supportive of her moving inwith Travis and living with them. Travis’s father wasquite proactively supportive, particularly with practicaldetails such as transport and purchasing equipmentfor the baby.At about 6 months into the pregnancy Travis realisedthat he would need to make changes to his life styleand started by reflecting on the people that he hungout with. He made a clear decision about which of hisfriends would be appropriate to be around when hebecame a father and, for the last part of the pregnancy,worked hard to change some aspects of his leisurehabits and cultivate new ones.Travis was a supportive partner to Kayla duringthe pregnancy and felt that it is part of a father’sresponsibility to make sure that his pregnant partnerwas looked after. For Travis this meant attendingantenatal clinic appointments, prompting her to eatwell, such as eating more fruit, and reminding her tolimit any alcohol and drug intake.They attempted attending midwife run childbirtheducation classes at the hospital but decided afterattending once, not to keep going. As the youngestcouple, they felt uncomfortable participating andpreferred to use websites for their information. Theywere also the only couple in their peer group who washaving a child and so talking to their friends aboutthe pregnancy, and /or parenting was futile-they weregenerally not interested.While Travis felt he was able to research the stagesand development of pregnancy and to some extentparenting, he felt absolutely helpless and very illprepared, while Kayla was in labour.Unfortunately 3 weeks before Arielle was born, thebusiness he worked for folded and Travis was withouteither a job or any qualifications as his apprenticeshipwas not complete. With financial support fromTravis’s parents they had just moved into a rentalproperty. To help make ends meet Travis sold hiscar, they used public transport and moved to cheaperaccommodation.ParentingWhen Arielle was 4 months old Travis found a positionwith a business that meant he was able to complete53
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