Though I don't like the idea of unwed teenagers having babies, I never really thought much about it until my husband and I were in the grocery store the other evening. I saw this man and a woman and they had a teenage girl and teenage boy with them who both looked around 15. They had a baby in a carrier with them. They had WIC coupons and were looking for the items on their coupons. The two teens were acting so childish: goofing off, argueing loudly with each other, callind each other "butt heads", and pointing and making fun of other people. I told my husband "That can't possibly be their baby. They are just kids themselves." But they were in front of us at checkout and it was their baby. They didn't once pay any attention to that baby while we were in line, they were too busy goofing off. When the boy started laughing about something, I saw that all his front teeth were rotten, yet he had on name brand clothes. Is this what the future of our youth has come to?
2007-01-01 10:42:28 · 13 answers · asked by LittleMermaid 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Being a dental assistant, I know that dentistry is expensive, but I mean almost every single front tooth was rotten. So his parents had done nothing for his teeth for years obviously. Yet this kid was wearing name brand clothes, and so was the girl. When did parents begin caring more for the name brand clothes their kids wore, than their teeth??? I know it was none of my business, but it just made me so upset to see that little tiny baby and to know it was being raised by these two immature teenagers.
2007-01-01 10:47:28 · update #1
I am not putting down teen parents. If you can put your childs best interest above your need for name brand clothes, and you can grow up and stop acting like a kid, then I have no problem with your age as a parent. But seeing these two kids acting like 12 year olds and knowing that they are that babies future, makes me sick and makes me wonder how teens turn out like that. Is it their parents fault or what?
2007-01-01 10:50:03 · update #2
Dave: Actually in all honesty, it is my business, and the bussiness of all tax payers, when our tax money goes to provide WIC, medicaid, and welfare for people who arn't even old enough to be having sex in the first place, and certainly shouldn't be raising a child. I respect these teens who choose to give birth to these babies instead of choosing abortion, but these innocent babies would have a better life in most cases, if these teens would give them to a couple who is married, mature, and financially capable of taking care of them.
2007-01-01 10:56:13 · update #3
Lil baby and Dreamweaver: You both gave great opinions on this. You understood what I was saying. I am not necessarily against teen pregnancies. I myself got pregnant at 18, however I also got married about 31/2 months BEFORE I got pregnant. My best friend got pregnant at 17, and she did come from a stable 2 parent home. Her parents discussed it with the boys parents, they all decided that my friend and her boyfriend should get married. Her husband worked, she worked until the baby was born, and their parents helped them get a good start in life. If that is how it happens then I have no problem with a teenager becoming a parent. It is teens like the two I saw at the grocery store, that makes me feel sorry for the babies. If their own parents are like that, how could we expect the babies to grow up any differently?
2007-01-01 11:02:04 · update #4
No, I don't think it's their parent's fault that they had a baby. Sounds to me like they could both use a swift kick in the butt. If they have a baby, it's time to grow up. Parents, while not responsible, should sit these two down and have a serious converstation with them, ASAP!
I got pregnant with my first, when I was only 16. It was in no way my mothers fault. I'm sure it reflected poorly on her ablities as a parent, and that breaks my heart. I had given her every reason to trust me. I got stupid and made some bad decisions. When I told was pregnant, she couldn't even look at me. When we did sit down and talk, she asked me what I was going to do. (Abortion was not an option, for either of us.) I told her I was going to keep it, and she flat out told me, "I am NOT paying for this baby." She made it perfectly clear, that if I was going to be his mom (I had a little boy) that I was going to do the best I could to take care of him on my own. I did just that too. I got a job and started saving ASAP. I finished highschool, third in my class. I had to take care of daycare, diapers, formula. I had to take him to his doctor appointments. I had to grow up.
It wasn't her fault, but she made sure I did right by my baby. I'm not saying she didn't help me, because she did. She kept him while I worked at night. If he was sick and couldn't go to daycare, she'd stay home, so I wouldn't miss school. She was a tremendous help to me, more than she'll ever know. But she made me stand up and take responsibility for my bad decisions. Best thing she ever did for me. Bet your paycheck, I didn't make the same mistake twice. (Now that makes me mad! Teenagers with two or three kids! I knew a girl that had two when she graduated highschool and WANTED another one! That's disgusting! Someone's making it too easy on them, if you ask me. Teenage parents should be busy, they shouldn't have the time to go get knocked up again. I mean where was their baby while they were out being irresponsible?)
2007-01-01 10:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by Patty O' Green 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
No I do not think that it is a parents fault because so often, kids do what they want. If a teen girl likes some boy and wants to have sex with him no one can do anything to stop her if she really has her mind made up.
As far as the dental hygene thing, my brother had a few bad teeth but the reason he wasn't able to get his teeth fixed until he wes 29 is because he didn't have dental insurance. Just to get a cavity filled is between two and three hundred dollars without insurance, let alone root canals, x-rays, and crowns.
Also all name brand clothing doesn't cost hundreds of dollars, so don't judge someone and they're situation all the time, they may have been getting out of the house for the first time after a week and were enjoying each other a little to much. U did say they were 15 or 16 so it would make since they would not be so mature acting and so serious because they are teenagers and that is what teens do.
And just because they have public assistance does not automaticlly give us working people a right to be in there business, if it worked like that than I should be able to be in everyone receiving social security.
What I'm basiclly trying to say is a lot of things may look bad without us knowing the whole story. So don't automaticlly assume someones situation or judge them because we don't know then anyway.
One thing we have to remember is a mothers love for her child does not kick in once we turn 21 or get married we always love of children and will do anything necessary to protect them from harm
2007-01-01 11:28:53 · answer #2 · answered by lamikashi 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that is pathetic. I do not understand why any teenager would want to have a baby. Most that do have babies puts the baby off on their parents and keep on going on with their life having fun and all.
I think all teenagers should be put on birth control. People needs to quit acting like their kids are perfect and not having sex when they are. It is partly the parents fault because obviously they let their kids run wild and don't care, but other part of the blame goes on the teenager for not being smart enough to go and get on birth control or to put on a 75 cent condom.
I guess maybe that guys teeth were rotted out because maybe he dosen't have insurance or maybe he is a dope head.
If that were my daughter and she had a baby so early i would make her watch it cause i know i wouldn't. When you have a baby it is time to grow up and quit having mommy and daddy do everything for you when it is your fault that is is the teenagers own mess.
2007-01-01 11:07:57 · answer #3 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry but you shouldn't generalize. Just because one person of a certain group is bad doesn't mean they all are. There are 30 year old parents who act like that. It probably doesn't have anything to do with age. And just because you get pregnant doesn't mean you have to get married. You can be a family without all the ceremonies and money spent. I'm madly in love with my daughter's father and we live as a family. He proposed to me when I got pregnant and I told him no. I'm not marrying someone just because society says we should. Too many people get stuck in horrible relationships because of it. He proposed again this past valentine's day and I said yes but we're not getting married for at least 2 years. There's no time and no money and I'm only getting married once so I'd like to have a decent ceremony. Another thing is...who are you to be the fun police? Was the baby in danger? Me and my fiance goof off constantly...and our daughter loves it that mama and daddy can be that silly. But we also both attend college full-time and daddy works full-time as well *nights*. I'm so sick of these questions on here. I'm a good mom...and so was my mom. Don't make assumptions about large groups of people. They'll always prove you wrong.
2007-01-01 13:41:31 · answer #4 · answered by evilangelfaery919 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
not all teen parents are like that! I got pregnant when I was 16 and had my son when I was 17 and the father was 21. I am still with my son's father (3years later) and right up until I got pregnant I was working, and I took maternity leave when I had my son. I finished my high school through correspondence and right now we are waiting for a town house (subsidised) to become available to us which they say will be in a few months. My boyfriend works full time at a job where he gets health benefits and I right now am staying at home with my son and I'm enrolling in college this fall.... when I first got pregnant alot of people told my parents they should kick me out and that they better be prepared to be a parent to my baby because I would just pawn my baby off on them all the time.... the funny thing is the one aunt of mine who had the big mouth saying all of that is the one who is ALWAYS leaveing her baby girl with her mom ALL the time and who moved back home because she couldn't handle her daughter on her own... and I very rarely get a babysitter for my son I would say maybe a few hours a month I may leave my parents with my baby but very rarely!! and ever since he was born I have done EVERYTHING with the help of my son's father on our own we have NEVER pawned our son off on anyone the way it is supposed to be .... and everyone even our doctor has said he is amazed at what a wonderful mom I am and he keeps asking when baby #2 is coming ( not for a while)
Everyone in my family can't believe how wonderful a mom I am so you shouldn't judge teen parents like that not all of them are awful parents alot of them are good parents and some mature adults are awful parents!! I know quite a few parents who are in their 30's married and are HORRIBLE parents!
2007-01-01 12:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a sad sight.............I do not like to see teenage mothers. Most of them if you pay attention are lacking the parental attention and love. Some of them just want to have babies. Some of them grew up on welfare and pass it on to their kids. Most teenage parents are not from stable two parent homes. They want love so bad that they will create life just to get it. That is particularly why they should not have sex before marriage. Babies need a stable two parent home. I also see a lot of people lately with bad teeth and I wonder why they aren't embarrased and try to take care of them. That is the first thing I notice when I talk to someone. Please people take care of your teeth!!!!!!! They are very important for your health! I am raising my daughter with good moral values - she is 14 and is waiting for marriage! Bless her! :)
2007-01-01 10:51:02 · answer #6 · answered by cool chic 2no 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, I don't get mad when I see teenage parents. Really, it depends on your definition of a teenage parent. I was one until a month ago. But when it comes to teenagers still in high school... Yes, that is awful! And, yes, that is at least partly the parents fault. These days people want to teach our kids "no sex until marriage" and nothing else. We can't expect every person to wait until marriage. And our children aren't learning anything about sex, or how to prevent pregnancy, because parents don't want to talk about it.
And this sort of scenario is the result.
2007-01-01 10:47:51 · answer #7 · answered by Wiccan~Momma 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
as the parent of a teen mother, i do not feel like i am responsible. It was my daughters choice to do what it took for her to get pregnant. I am just dealing with the consequences.
Not all teen parents are like the two you saw.
2007-01-04 03:55:10 · answer #8 · answered by sweetest sweetness around 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does make me very upset! They should have a normal life with freedom! Most likey the Grandparents will be stuck with the child. It is not fair for the Grandparents!
2007-01-04 20:05:40 · answer #9 · answered by i love someone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope
2016-05-23 04:11:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋