Young parenting peer education program
New group starts February 2012 for further Details click here:
Talking Realities Information flyer
Young Parenting Peer Education Information Session for 2012
About Talking Realities
Talking Realities ….young parenting is an innovative school based, peer education program developed in South Australia, which grew out of a desire by young mothers to pass onto other young people, information about what it’s really like to be a parent at a young age.
The young parents in the program undertake training and go into secondary schools to deliver a presentation about the realities of being a parent. The presentation provides an important opportunity to challenge the stereotypical perceptions about why young women become pregnant. It is widely recognised that whilst programs in schools seek to improve young people’s knowledge of sexual health, pregnancy and birth issues, the important life issue of unplanned, early pregnancy has been largely neglected.
Young parents experience higher rates of early school leaving and are at risk of significant social isolation as well as likely to experience significant difficulties with employment and further education.
Program Background
Talking Realities Melbourne was adapted from the original South Australian model (Jolley, 2001; Jolley & Masters, 2004; Lawless, 2007) which maintained that the evidence base for Talking Realities is in prevention and early intervention literature and contemporary approaches to working with young people. It embodies community development and capacity-building approaches, engaging and seeking to support young parents where they are at in their lives.
Talking Realities on YouTube
Barnardos Australia has created a wonderful video about the Talking Realities program which they run in NSW. You can access it on YouTube here.
Publications:
Further research and other publications from South Australia which provide further detail on the Talking Realities conceptual model:
Jolley, G., (2001). Talking Realities…Young Parenting: A peer education project. Adelaide: South Australian Community Health Research Unit.
Jolley, G., & Masters, S. (2001). Talking Realities… Young Parenting: A peer education project evaluation report. Adelaide: South Australian Community Health Research Unit.
Lawless, A. (2007). Talking Realities…Young Parenting: A peer education program, program development report (1997–2007). Adelaide: South Australian Community Health Research Unit.
