Agreed Giok - I think that a lot of the problem here arises from the environment that many of these girls come from. not just the home but peer groups and home location can have a lot of influence.

I got pregnant at 17, due to ignorance - there was very little sex education at that time and my mother told me virtually nothing. I came from a family where affection was non-existent and any attention from others was sought, whatever the cost. As a result I took my father to court to get permission to get married. Looking back I could have gone a different route but I do not regret any of my life. I was lucky - I was able to go into further education when my kids were at school and have done quite well, overall.

However, I do understand where these kids are coming from - if we can't, or won't make much of an effort to remedy the cause then re-education of the 'problem' seems to be the most sensible way to go, if only to try and break the vicious circle of the children of these mothers believing that this is the easiest way of life.