Assessing Bias to Shift Narratives

This project aims to shift narratives about young parents by building an assessment that measures bias toward young parents. This focus emerged from and was supported by a Healthy Teen Network InTend Incubator grant. During this incubator period, a group of four contributors conducted interviews and tested solutions and prototypes to address stigma felt by young parents. Now the incubator has ended, we aim to finish our prototype and release the assessment and then pair this project with training that reviews the history of young parenting and breaks down the stereotypes and challenges faced by young parents.

Through this initiative, we seek to foster understanding and promote positive narratives that support young families in our society and community.

If you are interested in testing or using our assessment, please reach out. In the meantime, stay tuned as we launch this assessment to shape a more inclusive conversation around young parenting.

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Why This Project Matters

​Across fields of health, education, research, and the social safety net, discourse regarding young parents promotes eugenics and white supremacy, describes young parenting as a burden on taxpayers, and likens young parenting to a disease to be prevented (Breheny & Stephens, 2010). For example, research titles and outcomes typify the stigmatization, describing adolescent parents as “suffering,” experiencing “regret,” and “harsh” parents (East et al., 2012, Lee, 2009, Paranjothy et al., 2009). We also saw language shared after Dobbs vs. Jackson used young parents as tools to support abortion access because we were described as “traumatized.” Such language influences society’s understanding of populations as worthy or unworthy for additional support and resources. This project is developing an innovative assessment to shift language and ultimately resources for young parents.