What age is "too young," to have a child?

Question

I for one think that people should be financially, physically, and emotionally ready before having a child. Being in a stable relationship is also a plus. What age would be considered too young to have a child though? People can have a college degree at 18. They can be married at 16. What is your take on this?

I forgot to add that a woman can be in her 30's and work at McDonalds for a living.

Answer 1

I think that as both of us know...with you becoming a mom young and with me having my now 15 year old daughter when I was 16 that it's really not the age but the maturity and the ability to be able to be responsible for one's self let alone a child. So long as you are able to give that child unconditional love, put it first, give it stability, then the age of being a mom is irrelevant. Income is a plus....but let me tell you this....a mom who barely makes it pay to pay and a mom who earns 6 digits annually makes no difference, so long as the basic needs of the child are met and the child is loved and nurtured. Having more money to give your child everything doesn't always make a better parents because children need things beyond material things a lot more than they do monetray items. It's just too sad society doesn't see that so long as the woman is an attentive parent and providing basic needs and structure for their child, that age should be overlooked. Age isn't the factor in my opinion, it's at what point are you able to give the commitment that is needed for a child, because a child is a piece of your heart God has placed on the outside for you to love, nurture, and protect. From your previous questionsd I can see you are truly a devoted mom....your girls are very lucky! :o) And as in the case with you and I...we've been better parents than some women who have had their children in their late 20's early 30's. I know I didn't give you an exact age when it is ok to have children...but that's because it's not really all about age, it's about all of those above factors!

Answer 2

I think as long as the person is able to support another (mentally and financially) on their own they can have a child. Any age that is still in high school is NOT ready or someone that doesn't have a h.s diploma or GED is not ready. I am a mom at 19, but I graduated high school and went to college and have a good stable job that pays more than a lot of older people are making, I was ready mentally as well. Most teens don't realize the responsibility and think that they can still go out every weekend after having their kids, I had my fun I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything because I already partied and went to bars (fake id), I partied enough for a lifetime so I don't feel the need to go out now. If these girls are still in high school they need time to just be teens...
Some teens understand the responsibility and are ready but MOST are not
I think anything under 18 is too young.

Answer 3

There is not a particular age when people are ready to have a child. Some people at 35 are still not "ready" to have a child. Most people would probably say 18 since this is when someone goes from being a child to a "legal adult". I agree with you...that a person should be financially, physically and emotionally ready, but I've had many friends who were none of the above but they ended up pregnant and somehow everything worked itself out for them. It all depends on the person and the situation.

Answer 4

I dont agree that under 18 is too young to have a child. I for one am now 20 and my daughter is a beautiful, healthy, and happy 5 month old. I am not married... but very well fit to be a mother. And i dont think that i will be telling my daughter that i wish i would have waited. there are other things that i wish were different. but i think i am a great mom. I think "too young" isnt the way to put it. My best friend was married and had a child at 16. and her and her husband now have two children and are still growing strong. i think that it all depends on your maturity level. Some females are ready early on in life and i always knew that i wanted a child early in life for the reason that we will be able to better get along (and be "free" sooner) lol. there is a point when you just gotta ask yourself the pros and cons. and i analyzed and did what i thought was right

Answer 5

There is no formula to who & when someone should have a child that will fit everyone. People are different. One size does not fit all. My parents got married at 16 had 4 kids starting at 18. They wish they did things different & if they had to do it all over again, they would not have had us. But then I wouldn't exist. I wouldn't want a child to get pregnant at 15, 16 etc. but it is not the end of the world & it doesn't always end up being a burden on society. Rich, well educated people over 20 can have worthless, society burdening children.

We can't try & control the world, if we try we may end up being like Hitler.

Answer 6

There are people in there 20 and 30's etc that make shitty parents so I don't thinks that if you are under a certain age you aren't going to be a good parent as I know quite a few who are, what I think is it is a shame to miss out on your own youth by having a child young. When you are a teenager it's heaps more fun to be out with your friends then getting up every 2 hours for feeds. Ultimately it's up to the persons decision if they are ready to have a baby. I personally wouldn't like my daughter to have a baby in her teens as I wouldn't want her to miss out being a kid herself before she would have to take on the huge responsibility of raising a child

Answer 7

I don't think anyone without a high school degree should have a child. Also I think they should be married as children should not grow up with just one parent, they usually end up a little confused and messed up if they do. Personally I'm going to wait til I'm stable financially and probably will adopt if I decide to have a child at all. I have health problems that make me nervous about having my own child. Probably won't have a child as I don't think I could ever handle the responsibility. I have an associate degree but don't make enough to support a child.

Answer 8

I think it has more to do with maturity levels rather than chronological age. If a person is mature, usually all the other things follow, like finances, emotions and physical ability. I know some very mature late teens, who are parents and they do a great job. I have known some older parents who shouldn't have ever conceived. But things happen. Sometimes teen pregnancy throws a person into maturity. They realize that their lives have changed and are going to change further. I think it all depends on the person as an individual, not their age.

Answer 9

Actually u can see that those who marry at an earlier age end up with problems as they go on because they are not well experienced like 16 and 18 thats too young although our culture allows it but l think below 20 years is too young cos u don't have enough life experience.Remember the earlier they go the earlier they divorce.

Answer 10

Do you really know any 16-18 year old financially stable? I know I don't. 16 is also not physically ready and certainly not mature enough. People change ALOT from the time they are teens until they are in their 20's.

Working at McDonalds like you mention is not going to pay the rent and utilities, food and clothing.