I'm 16 and i may be pregnant, i want to kepp my baby do my parents have a say so in if i do or not.?

Question

I'm 16 and i believe i may be pregnant i want to keep my baby. I dont want to tell my parents but i have too i just want to make sure they cant make me get rid of my baby.

Answer 1

According to Roe v. Wade, you are the only person that can make that decision. Your parents cannot force you to have an abortion. They also cannot force you to give the baby up for adoption. Your body, your baby, your choice.

If they attempt to force this by kicking you out of the house, you can become an emancipated minor and qualify for many government programs. Seek out a women's shelter and apply for HUD, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and TANF. You can also probably qualify for daycare assistance if your state offers it so that you can finish school and work. The state will also go after the father for child support.

There is help out there, hon, don't give up! I admire your strength and resolve in this decision.

Answer 2

Wow, Ever Heard of a Condom.. Don't Mean To Bag On Ya... But You Have Your Whole Life Ahead Of Ya, Don't Try To Grow Up So Fast, Your 16, I Have Friends That Are 16 And They Had to Quit School Because of There Babies And Now They Have No Education, Or Time For Themselves... If I Were You I Would Think Of The Long Term Affects, Other Than The Short Term

Answer 3

It is true that they cannot make you have an abortion or place the baby for adoption, but they can make your life very difficult if they choose not to support you.
You will definalty have an easier time if they can be there for you. If you want to do this start getting a plan together to show them that you are serious and willing to be responsible and make the sacrafices. You can do it. It has been done before. And people do ok with it if they chose to. Many a parent has also gotten over their shock and anger and adord their new grandchild even if they didn't plan on it.

Be VERY wary of crisis pregnancy centers...many of them are just fronts for adoption agencies and are in close connection with them...16 and without much support will make you an easy target.

As a pregnant woman you will have much available to you by means of public assistance should they withdraw support from you. Medical issues should be covered no matter what. Also do not forget that the father of this child is also liable for support too.

It would also be a good time to do your research on the long term effects for you sould they try to push adoption on you. It seems like a very logical choice if you never lived it. Check out birthmother blogs for real life stories of what those who suggest this great solution are thinking for you. Ask your folks of they want you to be like this in 20 years. Also much informatin on the long term effects of adoption for both mother and child are available at Origins USA. Google that..and read.

Answer 4

Like it or not, you are still a minor and from a legal standpoint, your parents do have a strong say in what decisions affect your life. The best way to approach this with your parents is to talk to them honestly and openly. You need to be upfront with them but at the same time, you need to respect the fact that they are your parents and they have a lot more experience with life than you do. Chances are, the decision that they feel you should choose, will be the best one for you in the long run. If you really want to keep the baby, you may have to prove to them that you are responsible and capable enough to take care of another human being. This could mean keeping your grades up, and getting a job. Good luck!

Answer 5

First, find out if you are pregnant. Second, they can try and tell you what would be best for you, but they can't make you have an aboration or give the baby up for adoption. What they can do is kick you out of their house, and make you support yourself and a child. I was 16 when I had my son, and you may think its going to be great to have a cute baby and being a mom is fun, but at 16 its NOT!!! You really need to figure out why you feel the need to keep this child. Would it be fair to him or her? Could you provide it with all of the things that a good parent would? Do yourself and your child a favor. Let someone who is really ready take care of it. No matter what you think, you ARE NOT READY TO BE A MOTHER!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Even older women who get pregnant feel insecure and get scared sometimes. AGE has nothing to do with it. And it is NATURAL you don't feel ready to be a mother because that comes with the hormonal changes of labor and birth and the immediate post-natal period. Once that baby is in your arms, the hormones and instincts kick-in and you WILL be ready!

I see that people are telling you to give away your baby. These are people who want to throw you out like so much disposable trash after your baby has been 'saved' from you. Adoption is NOT "getting rid of a pregnancy." It is resigning yourself to a 50% or greater chance of PTSD, unresolved greif that lasts for decades, serious depression, and secondary infertility. Once you've given birth to a child, that child is a part of you and your body and your family and "giving it away" goes against what Nature programmed your body for.

Or, if you want to look at it this way, God does not make mistakes with his Gift of creating life. He does NOT put babies into the wrong tummies!

No-one feels "ready" with their first pregnancy. if you are considering adoption, at least take your baby home from the hospital and take care of him/her for a few weeks first and THEN make your decision

There are plenty of support groups around for young parents and single parents and you need not worry. Not only that, but colleges often have parent resources centers, daycares on-campus, and scholarships specifically for single parents.

I felt the same when I was 16 and my fiance and I were expecting. I was scared. I didn't feel ready. And NO-ONE gave us any encouragement or support. Our son is now 26 yrs old and a wonderful college grad with a great career ahead of him.

I've put in some links below to helpful sites:

Answer 7

Different states have different laws. But in most cases the Birth mother has ALL the rights. If the Mother is aTeen of any age it is still their decision to keep the child or not. The state may try and step in if the teen is Younger than 16, but as long as the parents of the teen are willing to offer support the state usually won't place the child in foster care and will leave him/her with the teen mom and her family to raise.

Answer 8

1st. you need to tell your parents. According to popular belief, you will show and they will notice that your pregnant. So don't try to get away with it, just face the music before it all becomes alot of loud noises.

2nd. Being that you are only 16 yrs. old they do have a say because you are not an adult (YET). You will become an adult after you have the child though, not before. You see once you have a child at the age of 16, you become a mother and an adult by law.

Answer 9

It is definetly YOUR CHOICE, regardless of your age, it is your child and your choice. You are young but that doesn't mean that your parents can force you to abort or to give the baby up for adoption. Talk to your parents, you may be surprised at their reaction. Of course they will take it hard at first, that isn't what any parent wants for their 16 year old daughter but they will get used to the idea, they will be there for you to support you and love you through this challenging time. Good luck

Answer 10

There is only one right family for your baby and that is his/her natural family. Be prepared to answer all their questions and concerns. Educate yourself beyond all the adoption propaganda you get from agencies, lawyers (this is a multi million dollar industry, they see $$$) and desperate want to be parents (Can't have their own. Your child is 2ND best, a replacement for the child they can't have.) Start educating yourself by reading "The Primal Wound". Go to http://groups.msn.com/Adoptese message board and talk to adoptees and Mothers who lost their babies. Adoption will cause life long trauma for you and your baby. It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Please reconsider you will regret your decision the rest of your life. PS. Don't believe any open adoption lies either. The minute you sign those papers the adopters can and in most cases do, close the adoption. You have no legal rights.