Reframing Young Parenthood

Intergenerational Dynamics of Poverty and Stigma

Reframing Young Parenthood explores everyday family life through the experiences of children and their parents.

The study examines how poverty and stigma shape families’ relationships, wellbeing and hopes for the future. It showcases the challenges facing low-income young parent families alongside the care, joy, playfulness and connection of everyday life, and aims to shift stigma and negative narratives around young parenthood.

Using creative and participatory methods, including intergenerational interviews and photovoice, children and parents share what matters to them and what they would like others to understand about their families. The research involves collaboration with primary schools and family support services. Together, we are creating outputs, including community and digital exhibitions, that represent the experiences of young parent families and offer ideas for change.

The study is led by Dr Linzi Ladlow, Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln, and funded by a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship for three years from January 2026.