Following news that the once-high teen pregnancy rate in Swindon has now fallen below the national average, we wanted to try and find out why. 

The rate of teenage pregnancies in Swindon has seen an astonishing drop over the last two decades.

Around the turn of the century, Swindon had one of the highest rates for conception by girls aged 15 to 17 in the country – there were 59.3 such pregnancies for every 1,000 young women between those ages – that translates to a percentage of 5.9 per cent.

In 2021, according to a report on sexual health in Swindon presented to the borough council’s Health & Wellbeing Board last week, the percentage had dropped massively to 0.89 per cent, significantly below the England average of 1.31 per cent.

So, intrepid reporter Selina Chen took to the town's streets to ask people at what age or what stage of life was a good time to have children to see if that might shed some light on the plummeting figures. 

Lucy  (Image: Newsquest)

Lucy, 26, moved to Swindon three months ago and finds it a good place to have children. To her, the most important factor is the type of partner.

“I prefer a partner who encourages me to work and return to work after childbirth,” Lucy said. “It’s important to encourage women to improve themselves and to be happy – especially in case something happens to your partner.”

Nigel, 67, emphasised maturity rather than age: “I was taken into care. I was born by a downright irresponsible mother!” Nigel said of his mother who birthed him in her mid-thirties.

“If you’re not as responsible as you ought to be, children are taken into care, and that shouldn’t happen. You’re getting into the territory of child cruelty.”

The Adver spoke to two groups of teenagers, both of whom believe an appropriate age for parenthood should be well out of one’s teens.

Three girls, aged 17 to 18, said that although there aren’t as many jobs in Swindon, financially it’s a good place because things are less expensive than cities. They estimate the late twenties to early thirties.

Three boys, aged 16, said that in addition to settling down and maintaining a relationship for a couple of years, parents should also own a home and a car for emergencies. The mid to late twenties would be a good age, they said.

Abiola and Anita, a couple walking with their child in a pram, instead joked: “No age is good! The pressure is too much. First you should enjoy your life, because after having a child you’re tied down – your freedom is gone!”

AbigailAbigail (Image: Newsquest) Not everyone feels like parenthood is detrimental to freedom.

In her early 20s, Abigail is the single mother of her 5-month-old baby. “I was proper scared during my pregnancy – I thought I would never sleep and never go out with friends again,” she said. “But I got support.”

“I think the early 20s is the perfect age to have children. I used to be immature, but it’s made me grow,” Abigail added. “I wasn’t ready but mother instincts kicked in. I love it, it’s the best thing.”

Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins also chairs the Health & Wellbeing Board. He said: “Continuing to reduce teenage pregnancy rates remains an ambition of the Swindon Plan, aiming to reduce the inequalities that exist in Swindon and ensure people have the best chance of achieving their full potential.”