Do you think if a minor child gets pregnant, It should be the full responsibility of the childs parents?

Question

For example a 15 year old gets pregnant, and has the baby at 15 as well... Who should raise the child (until the minor is an adult) The minor or the parents of the minor?
Should the minors parents temp. adopt the child?
What do you think would be in the best interest of the baby?

The minor should be in school getting their education. They made a choice, who should pay for it?
Do you really think that a minor at 15 has maternal characteristics and can raise a child....?
I dont think so.

Answer 1

You know, people used to get married pretty much as soon as they were past puberty. Lots of women in the past had their first child while they were under 16. So in terms of "maternal instincts," it's there. As to her getting an education, there is home schooling and independent study, and even schools where the mother can have the baby with her, and she learns about raising her child as well as the academic issues.

Grandparents can help, of course, and the father should also be helping, but I think it is best if the mother is responsible for her own baby to a degree consistent with the baby's safety and health. She may need more help and advice than she would if she were older, but many women in their 20s are pretty clueless about child-rearing, when you come right down to it. It's more a sense of responsibility and a strong desire to do what's best for her child that counts, not her age.

Answer 2

I think that if a minor child gets pregnant, as in the scenario you have laid out, and assuming that the sex was consensual, the child is the minor's full responsibility. While I do believe that the minor's parents should help their own child as much as possible (continuing to provide a home, emotional support and guidance, food, etc...), the new parent is just that, a parent, and must accept the responsibilities as such. The minor engaged in an adult activity that carries inherent adult responsibilities, and by so choosing, must follow through with the adult consequences.

As for the fact that the minor "should be in school getting their education", there are several options available to the minor, such as independent home study courses and the G.E.D. Personally, I attained my high school diploma through an "adult continuation high school" independent study program as a result of the upheaval in my own family's life. It worked for me. I am no less educated than graduates from a traditional high school and I gained additional self sufficiency skills through the experience that I may not have had I finished at a regular high school.

Regarding whether or not the minor has maternal instincts is besides the point. Having "maternal instincts" doesn't mean knowing what to do. Having maternal instinct comes as a result of taking ownership of the mothering situation. I have seen 15 year olds raise children, and the situation isn't all that odd over human history.

I believe it is in the best interest of the baby for the minor parent to own their situation and do everything possible for the new child. By taking good care of themselves, finishing their education, etc... they will be better role models and wiser than they might be if they just handed the responsibility over to their own parents.

Answer 3

I think that the minor should hold most of the responsibility, with help of course from the parents. They have made an adult decision by getting pregnant so they need to take on the adult responsibility of raising the child. The concern is that a 15 year old may not be able, or know how to properly care for an infant, this is when the help of the parents should come in (for the best interest of the infant) As to schooling the best thing for the infant is that the mother be able to still get an education. Without that the mother will never be able to take of her child on her own.

Answer 4

Well, personally 15 is too young, but i cant say much, Im only 17 myself , and pregnant. Maybe if the minor is not mature enough to raise a child the parents should raise it, however you cannot say this for all teen pregnancies. I am sure that I have the "maternal charistics" that you speak of, but am not yet an adult. It really depends on the person. Education should not be influenced by the minor's decision to have sex. I have already graduated High School and am almost a year into college... Hope it helps.

Answer 5

The minor should take care of it...go to school, get a job and take care of the baby they made since they thought having sex was important. This way they will learn what being an adult is like. Yeah, yeah these teens will be complaining, they are not getting enough sleep and what not or do not have a life because all they do is go to school and work to provide for the child they have. Well then they should not have sex being that they are not adults yet. Make these teens pay for their actions. Parents need to make sure they are doing what they are suppose to do and not give in to those teen parents this way maybe they can learn something. That they cannot mess around with adult activities.

Answer 6

at 15 yrs of age i don't think a child should be raising a child. but lots of people do it. but i don't agree that it should be the responisblity of the 15yr olds parents to raise it either. i don't entirely think that a 15 yr old has developed the total maternal characteristics it takes to care for a baby and yes that 15 yr old needs to finish school and get the best possible education they can. also there are tons of women in this world that can't have children that would love to have a child and adoption is the only choice they have, so i think that these 15 yr old girls need to stop laying down if they can't handle the responsibilities for themselves if it should end up they get pregnant.....and i think that parents need to start stepping up to the plate and making sure that their child(ren) are educated and have the knowledge they need to protect themselves from this and other problems and diseases that may arise! as a mother of 3 children i know how hard it is to raise a child and no i don't do it entirely on my own i have my husband and other family members to help me, but i don't expect anyone to step up and take care of them other than the people (men) that helped to make them. and Abortion is not an option........do the time if u do the crime and give that baby to someone who can and will care for that baby like it deserves!

Answer 7

Well kudos to the young lady if she does have it. As a parent I would think that the minor with the help of her parents as well as the father and his parents are responsible for this child. Absolutely NOT should the parents attempt to adopt or raise. The problem with kids today is that they dont realize that there are consequences for their actions. And yes the fact the the young parents need an education is why I say that the parents should help. And not just the young mother and her parents either. Every person has 2 parents and 4 grandparents!

Answer 8

I don't really think minors have the capabilities of properly caring for a baby. Then again neither do many adults.

This is a no win situation. I feel the minor should be made to take responsibility for her actions and care for her own baby while still going to school. With close parental supervision. And these teen dads making babies need to be responsible also and pay child support and if they are not working have their parents pay.

If the minor is unable to properly care for the child. Then yes the parents should take legal custody of the child.

Which will eventually start another big fight. That teen mom is going to grow up and one day decide she wants her child home with her and grandma and grandpa is not going to want to let go. Happens all the time.

Answer 9

Good question. I do think the 15 year old should buck up to the responsibility of raising the child that dosent mean kick them out and tell them to make it on there own. But that does mean ok you go to school but you will come home and take care of the baby no more parties or going out. You have lost that freedom you can not punish the parents for something the daughter did also where is the father in all this.

Answer 10

I think that no one can truthfully answer that question without knowing the minor child and their capabilities.

If my daughter had become pregnant at 15, I would have given her the options available and made the initial choice hers. After all, she was mature enough to engage in sexual activity, she should be mature enough to face the consequences. I would stand by her and her choice, regardless of my feelings, and help her any way I could. Financially (in my state) we are responsible for our 'minor' children until they reach the age of 21, unless they emancipate themselves. Raising a child at 15 is a financial impossibility, so she will need help in that area.

Tough call without knowing all the details. I wish whoever this is much luck.