Young fathers: Proud to be a dad

Contrary to popular belief, not all young fathers are self-indulgent and irresponsible. Often they are young men thrust unceremoniously into an adult world that they are ill-equipped to deal with. Yes, they have a responsibility that should now take precedence over their own immediate needs and desires; yes, it is through their own actions that they are in this situation. But if these young men - many of whom are socially and emotionally immature and inexperienced - are going to be good fathers and play a stable and sustained role in the upbringing of their child, they will need support.

Figures from fatherhood charity Fathers Direct suggest there are about 10,000 children born to teenage fathers every year in the UK, but only one in five of these children are still in touch with their dad 15 years later. In fact, the organisation claims that only half of teenage mothers are still in a relationship with their child's father one year after its birth.