Many of the youth had strong feelings of loneliness and rejection that resulted from abandonment by their families and subsequent temporary relationships with significant adults and peers. Others described the difficulties of multiple placements with little or no preparation. Almost all of the youth described their lack of preparation for adult life and their limited access to information about sex and sexuality. Many who had spent some time in residential care had histories of drug and alcohol abuse, running away, and involvement in crime. Girls felt pressure to participate in early sexual activity. Ninety percent of the youth reported no or intermittent use of contraception at the time of their first pregnancy. Less than 50 percent of the youth faced with pregnancy said they had received support in making a decision about their pregnancy. For most youth, becoming a parent was viewed as a positive event; however, most young parents were dependent on state benefits and faced economic hardship; few had any marketable skills on leaving school, and those who were employed received low pay. Social services departments were often viewed with mistrust and anxiety. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 63 youth, who were asked about factors that contributed to early pregnancy and parenthood; the types of support available; and the extent to which services were perceived as accessible. 44 references