The Experiences of Mothers Aged Under 20: Analysis of Growing Up in Scotland Data - Research Findings

Household, family and relationships

When the child is aged 10 months, mothers aged under 20 were less likely to be living with the child's biological father. The figures differ starkly by age on this measure. 30% of mothers aged under 20 live with the child's father compared with 56% of those in their early twenties and 89% of those aged 25 or older.

By the child's sixth birthday, mothers aged under 20 are still more likely than older mothers to be lone parents. However, a significant number who were lone parents when the child was aged two, now have partners.

At age 2, the vast majority of mothers - across all age groups - still have only one child. By age 6, 41% of mothers aged under 20 have two children and 18% have three or more compared with 53% and 8% for mothers in their early twenties and 57% and 9% for mothers aged 25 or older.

Mothers aged under 20 are particularly more likely to live in the same household as a grandparent of the child. The proportion reduces over time - from 21% at age two to 9% at age six.

Mothers of all ages report feeling close to most of their family, a position which does not change over time. However, friendships appear weaker for younger mothers (aged under 25) than older mothers. Again, this trend remains over time.

Younger mothers also tend to report a smaller group of close friends than older mothers. This changes steadily with maternal age being less common amongst those in their early twenties and least common amongst those aged 25 or older.

Amongst those mothers who live with a partner, younger mothers - and particularly teenagers - appear to have more difficult relationships with their partners than do older mothers.