Education level of teen parents?

Question

I'm simply curious, and this is not meant to be in judgement. hopefully it'll shed some light on the reality of teen parenting to some of the teens that read this. I'm hoping that teen parents or former teen parents will answer these questions. There is no right answer, of course!
1. What was your educational level at the time you had your child?
2. What is is now, and how long did it take you to get there?
3. Did you live with family, or have thier support either financially or with child care?
4. Has you life worked out the way you've wanted, and would you do it again?
5. Are you happy with the amount of money you're making now?
6. Did you ever or do you now required state aid to assist in the birth or raising of your child?
Any other information you want to add is great!

Thanks Lila, and congrats on your success and new baby!

These are all great stories. Thanks for sharing!

Answer 1

There is a great book that you might find interesting called Freakonomics. Shows with/through economic theory why teen parents or uneducated parents should not have babies.

You have to know that it is unlikely that anyone is going to answer this question whose life is really bad off because of their decisions. People don't usually like to admit those things.

Answer 2

1. Last year of high school
2. Finished high school.
3. Nope. Married him before the baby came. He went military and makes decent money. I stay at home and raise our three children. Its been a blessed life, even if its not what either of us planned.
4. Its alot different. I planned to have a job making a huge paycheck and not worry about kids or marriage till I was 40. But fortunately, sometimes you get what you need in life instead of what you want. I'd repeat it all if I could, not changing a single thing.
5. Yup, he does well. And we've been married long enough that I'm no longer scared or insecure about only him bringing in a paycheck. Those first years were hard, making the money stretch, but we did ok. I'm so proud to say that we never had to ask our parents for help or get loans to cover ourselves. We've both been really good with money, and it shows.
6. I had to get Medicaid during pregnancy because his good for nothing recruiter told him to not marry until after he was in the military because it would mess with his career. By the delivery we were married and the military covered the last portion. We did do WIC with 2 of our kids, but never had financial aid of any other type.

Answer 3

I was in the 11th grade
2. I am a stay at home mother with 2 kids and on on the way!
3. At the time I got preg. I was married and lived on my own.
4. My life has worked out the way I wanted it. Although if I could do it over again I would I would have NEVER gotten married at a young age.
5. I am VERY happy with the income that my husband brings home that is why I stay at home.
6. I have been on wic before with my kids. Although the rest I figured since I wanted to b a parent it was time to grow up and go get a job to support them.
After having my first child at 17 I had made SURE I had protection NOT to get preg. again for a few years because I had to get my life where I wanted it before I brought another into the world.

Answer 4

1. Graduated high school one year early, while pregnant.
2. I am a homemaker now.
3. I lived with the father in our own apartment.
4. My life is great and I'm actually trying to conceive my 2nd child.
5. My husband makes great money serving for the U.S. Air Force.
6. Recieved health insurance and WIC while pregnant.
* I worked full time until I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. I went right back to work when my daughter was 2 weeks old.

Answer 5

1. I had just graduated high school
2. College graduate, going into masters program....8 years. Didn't start till son was 4.
3. Lived with father of baby, very little child care support and no financial support from family
4. Better than I dreamed. Having a child early kept me out of a lot of trouble. Lots of challenges, but grew up fast.
5. I'm not fabulously wealthy, but not living paycheck to paycheck either.
6. The only state aid I accepted was WIC until he was off of formula.

Relationship with father fell apart shortly after having child, but moved on and married the perfect man. Hasn't been an easy road, but right now it's all sunshine lollipops and rainbows....have my second on the way. :)

Answer 6

Hi! I'm nineteen and have a seven month old son and a five year old cousin in my care. I've been told I'm an exception to the stereotype plenty of times so I'll answer your questions!

1. High School, Certificate in Phlebotomy. A bit of my associates. I graduated early.
2. Same as above and one semester away from my associates.
3. No, I live far away from both my family and in-laws. (We're in Florida-they are from Ohio and New Mexico.)
4. So far, so good. I love my life--I've experienced a lot.
5. Yes, my husband is in the military--while it's not TONS--we are used to budgeting and I'm fine with it. We have internet, cable, an SUV, house phone and cell phone. My son and cousin also have everything they need--as far as toys, a roof over their head, beds, love, and other basic "necessities."
6. Nope. I have never used WIC, food stamps, or HUD. It'd probably make my finacial life better, but I guess I'm too proud. I think those programs are great and since I can afford not to use them I don't.

I have done several things the typical "American" hasn't done. My father was in the Air Force and we lived overseas my whole life. Therefore, I've lived in Panama, England, and Germany. I've visited every western European country. I've been to Egypt, South Africa, Japan, and Turkey. I have done a lot! I love my life, I love my boys. I moved out of my parents house when I was 16 (before I was pregnant), finished high school in December 2003, then continued my education for my certificate and I'm now very close to my associates degree in early childhood education. I think some teen parents out there make it really hard for people not to stereotype and wish people would understand not every teen parent lives off of the government or their parents.

Hope this helps. Thank you for your time!

Break the stereotype!

I would also like to add that my husband hasn't always been in the Air Force. We lived in Germany together and moved out together to New Mexico. We lived there for about two years (he joined the AF on Nov. 15 2005--he hasn't been in for a year even!) I was alone for the last months of my pregnancy and the first four months of my son's life. We know what it is like to live outside of the AF--it's hard and we are so grateful for what the AF has allowed us to do with our lives. He joined the AF when we found out I was pregnant and this allowed us to do many things. For all the teen mothers or soon to be teen mothers who are going to marry or are married to the father, I highly suggest this.

I would also like to add I am a stay at home mother.

Answer 7

I found out i was pregnant as soon as i started my 11th grade year. I only completed the first semester. I had a lotta problems when everyone found out i was pg. Everyone kept saying they were going to kick my butt and that it wasnt his baby...My babies dad eveen told them if someone would punch me in the stomach he'd give them a 100 dollers. So after i had my daughter the principal and the teachers decided it'd proably be better for me to just drop out. {i think they just got tired of having to follow me everywhere} I received my ged a year later which wasnt really that big of a deal cause i only went to class like once a week and i took off for four months. I had to live with my parents because i was only 16. At first the idea of a baby in the house they werent too happy about it. Infact my mom even asked me to have an abortion...but once i had her they loved her. My life is the way i want it for the most part. Everyone would love to make more money....It'd be great if we were all millionairs. I dont live with my parents anymore and next month my fiancee and i are getting married. We live in an apt not a low income based apt but we do live in an apt. I work 40 plus hours a week and i dont pay for my daycare the state does. As soon as we get married all that gets cut off tho. I didnt have medicaid pay for the birth of my daughter, No one did. My mother had insurance on me when i was pregnant but when she kicked me out she cut of the insurance but since i was a minor they billed her for it.. and she had to file bankruptcy on it. I wouldnt change anything I've done so far...except the fact i should of kicked my sperm donar in the balls when he said she wasnt his....I love being a mom everything about it. Everything has worked it's way out...There's been times when i thought no way i cant make it but you just keep on doing it day by day and somehow you get by. I wouldnt change my mind in being a teen mom...sure i didnt get to party but i do get to stay up late and change diapers and do the bottle thing haha. Theres different choices for everyone and they lead you to different people in your life. I love everything about it i wouldnt change my life for the world..