Three young SA mums explain how they’re rejecting the stigma of teen parenthood – and showing they can still follow their dreams.
When Salima arrived in South Australia this year with her five-year-old daughter, she carried more than just her luggage – she carried the weight of cultural stigma.
Back home in Uganda, becoming a young mum meant abandoning your dreams.
“It’s like, ‘You’re out now.’ Not just out of school, but out of opportunities,” Salima says.
“You just end up doing odd jobs, and the dreams you had – you have to forget about them.”
Breaking barriers: Salima’s story
Everything changed when she discovered the Talking Realities Young Pregnant and Parenting Program. Suddenly, juggling motherhood and a career wasn’t just possible – it was encouraged.
“When I came here, I was so confused. I didn’t know where to start,” Salima says.
“But the team supported me through everything. They kept helping me until I could make up my mind. It was amazing.”
Now on track to complete her SACE certificate next year and a VET Certificate III in Community Services, Salima plans to go on to study nursing.
“They don’t judge you here – they listen and ask how they can help. It’s a place where you know you’re not alone.
“They’ve really helped to show me … dreams don’t stop here.”
What is Talking Realities?
Talking Realities isn’t your average parenting program – it’s a lifeline for around 22 young parents enrolled each term.
Designed for young parents under 25, it offers everything from accredited education pathways (like SACE completion or a VET Certificate III qualification) to practical parenting workshops and emotional wellbeing support.
Through workshops, one-on-one sessions, and peer networks, Talking Realities has helped young parents finish school, access housing, and secure employment.
Who runs Talking Realities?
The program is run by Metropolitan Youth Health (MYH), in partnership with the South Australian Department of Education and Thebarton Senior College.
MYH is a trauma-responsive service in metropolitan Adelaide and part of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network. It provides free, confidential health services to vulnerable young people aged 12–25, focusing on those under 18.
As well as Talking Realities, MYH’s services include health assessments, antenatal and postnatal care, sexual health services and immunisations.
Battling stigma: Shana’s journey
For Shana, a teenager with a nine-month-old daughter, sometimes the hardest part of being a young mum isn’t parenting – it’s the judgment.
“There’s so much stigma,” she says. “People look at you and think, ‘You’re too young, you shouldn’t be a parent.’ But we’re just as capable as anyone else.”
Despite the challenges, Shana is determined to rise above the negativity. Fuelled by her own difficult upbringing, she’s focused on giving her daughter the best start in life.
“My childhood wasn’t happy, so I’m determined to give my daughter everything I never had,” she says.
Shana credits Talking Realities for helping her grow as both a parent and a person.
“The program has really helped me feel supported. It’s given me the confidence to keep improving.”
Turning dreams into reality: Talena’s ambition
For Talena, a proud First Nations woman and mum of two young boys, Talking Realities has been a game-changer.
“I’ve been with the program since I was 16 and pregnant with my first son,” she says.
Now 19, Talena has recently graduated with her SACE certificate – a milestone she’s been working toward for three years and is “pretty excited about”.
Her next goal? Completing a Certificate III and becoming an Aboriginal Health Worker.
The power of connection
Beyond education and career support, Talking Realities offers something even more powerful for these young parents: community.
“Before joining, I didn’t think I’d get along with anyone,” Shana says. “But these girls are amazing. We’re all so different, but we share this bond of knowing what it’s like to be a mum.”
For Salima, this sense of connection has been life-changing. “Back home, there was no support like this. Here, you know you’re not alone. Even if you don’t know what you need, someone will figure it out with you.”
Talena highlights the importance of Talking Realities’ playgroups and parenting workshops, where parents can bring their kids and meet others. “It’s helped me build friendships and reconnect with people,” she says.
Changing the narrative together
Talking Realities is proof that becoming a young parent doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams – it’s about having the support to rewrite your story.
“It’s normal to struggle, but it’s not the end of the road. Here I am, with big dreams, and Talking Realities has been my biggest support,” says Salima.
Shana encourages other young mums not to let the stigma hold them back.
“People might judge you, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a good parent. Find support – it makes all the difference.”
For more information, visit Talking Realities or call 08 8243 5637.
