Moving tale of teen pregnancy
Dame Jacqueline Wilson looks back at the shaming of schoolgirl mothers in the 1960s for her latest book
SHE’S known for being the first children’s author to put a spotlight on youngsters in care with her tales of Tracy Beaker.
And in her latest book for teens, Baby Love, Dame Jacqueline Wilson discusses another serious subject, recreating the world of the suburban ‘60s when so many issues were swept under the carpet, sex education was pretty non-existent, and girls were shamed when they fell pregnant and pressured to give up their babies.
When Laura meets a French exchange student, Leon, she is flattered by his interest. She’s never had a boyfriend before and, when one night Leon insists on walking her home, her life changes for ever. We asked Dame Jacqueline more about it:
What made you write Baby Love?
It really concerned me that in the ‘60s young schoolgirl mums were emotionally blackmailed, and told that adoption was the best thing for their babies, otherwise they’d have the stigma of their illegitimacy all their lives. It seems even more shocking now. I decided it might be time to show how devastating this could be, and that there were women my age who must still be thinking of their lost children and feeling very sad and bitter.
It’s a tough subject – what might young people understand from reading Baby Love?
Young people think of the sixties as an exciting time, all Beatles music, miniskirts and free love – when the start of the sixties was a repressed and narrowminded time. I wanted to show how times have changed, but this was the way it was then.
Why do you think it’s important to introduce more serious subjects?
I think secondary pupils like to read really emotional stories that challenge them. But I always try to have humorous parts too – and a happy ending if possible.
Is there a key message in the book?
I think there are two messages: I hope shy, inexperienced young people will learn not to get involved in situations they’re not certain about – and I hope adults learn that compassion and empathy matter most of all.
Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson, £12.99, Penguin
Random House