Teenage mothers navigating parenting and schooling: Hopes, goals, and expectations in an urban, school-based program

How do adolescent mothers navigate the responsibilities of motherhood and schooling? What resources, experiences, and views of self and possibility contribute to their goals for the future? In the study, the participants include: • 15 teenage moms who participate in the school based parenting program; • The Program Coordinator. I conducted qualitative research. In total, I collected data from (14) one-on-one interviews, (1) interview with the program coordinator. I also facilitated two focus groups with the ten moms who were interviewed. Observations were also completed over an academic semester. This study could enhance teen parenting programs by encouraging them to look at their supports through the eyes of the consumer, the teen mom. It also shares an awareness of the various discourses about teen moms and how to counter those discourses. This study could also improve school based parenting programs as it provides recommendations for strengthening the program so that teen moms may be able to realize their possible selves through the resources and experiences provided by the program. I conclude that school based parenting programs should draw in the voices of the teen moms in the program; provide cohesively connected workshops and mentoring. Also, the school as a whole must play an integral role in the success of teen moms through case management, curricular support, college and career counseling as well as having higher expectations for teen moms. The policy implications include the need for more stable financial resources for the teen moms. Through this study, I learned about the historic and current journey of teen moms from their experience and perspective and the ways in which schools and other institutions have supported them. I also learned the ways in which the moms navigate their way through the schools and other systems of support