MEDIA RELEASE
1 SEPTEMBER 2010

A Good Time To Reach Out To Teen Dads

Family violence prevention network, Jigsaw Family Services, says it is pleased that the Government has acknowledged that more support is needed to help teenage fathers grow into becoming great dads.

Child, Youth and Family’s recent paper “Why You Should Care” highlights that while New Zealand has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancies in the OECD, teen fathers are often overlooked.

In this year’s Budget, the Government announced it was investing $14.9 million over the next four years in services for teenage parents, as part of initiatives to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.

$730,000 of that money will focus directly on teen fathers, to help them gain the skills they need to prepare for the birth of their child, to parent well and identify and respond to their children’s health, education and social needs.

Jigsaw’s Chief Executive (Strategic Relationships) Tau Huirama says it’s vital to support young dads in this way and Father’s Day (Sunday September 5) is a good time to reflect on how we reach out to teenage fathers.

“Health professionals often engage with the mum about the health and wellbeing of their baby, but speak a different language to the dad. They often talk to him about rugby or something other than his involvement in raising his baby,” he says.

“Some of the myths around are that dads don’t want to be with their children, but more often than not teen dads just feel isolated or have feelings of inadequacy,” Tau says.

He says the hardest part is getting dads to come to a parenting programme. “We need to make sure the information they receive is meaningful and relevant. We need to show them their place in this child’s life and ensure they can bond and communicate with their children,” Tau says.

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