im 23 and a mum to two lovely children aged 5+7.can anyone tell me why young mothers get such bad reputations?my partner and i knew we wanted children from a young age.we've been together for 9 years,we have great jobs and a lovely home.i wouldnt change anything for the world.to often us young mums get branded druggies,scroungers,bad parents ect...
why is this?me and my partner are very good parents.
2007-01-23 06:50:03 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I think its because people like stereotyping others, especially if it is a negative stereotype. There are a lot of young parents who unfortunately fulfil the stereotype but there are others, who often go unmentioned, that do a fantastic job.
My parents had me when they were both 16. They weren't no-hopers, they were just young and a bit foolish. My mother has always been the envy of my friends, not because she is close enough to my age to be able to relate to me but because she is simply a fantastic mother. I grew up a straight A student with a degree in Clinical Psychology.
I think you get out of your children what you put in. If you commit yourself to good parenting you can raise your children to be successful no matter what age you are. My parents never whinged they couldn't go out and have fun when I was little, as I've heard some young parents do. It's all in the attitude and from yours, I'm guessing your kids will turn out to be wonderful people who will feel lucky to have their parents in their lives for that bit longer!
: )
2007-01-23 07:17:23 · answer #1 · answered by queenbee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sadly there are some very young mothers out there who have no concept of parenthood etc...
They believe children are an easy ticket to council accomidation and free money, these people give young mothers a bad name.
The media focus on this type of young mum because it sells. You never see young mothers who are working etc... in the papers.
Unfortunately everyone under 25 with children are stuck with the same label.
2007-01-23 16:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by Rainbow-Taster 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are happy with your life why do you care what people think of you? I do know what you mean though about people looking down on young mothers. I was out with my cousin's baby 2 months ago (I'm 20 but everyone tells me I don't look a day over 15) and we were at the grocery store when an old lady said to woman she was with (you know in those loud whispers that you are meant to hear) "in my day we didn't flaunt kids young enough to be our sibling" and of course that pissed me off so I turned to the old bat and said "not that its any of your business but this is my cousin. Do I pass the morality inspection now?".
A lot of the time young parents are looked at because they think the babies were mistakes and that they are all on welfare etc. etc. etc. Lots of judgments.
2007-01-23 14:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by Laura 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well done for being so dedicated to your family. Sadly most 'young mums', accidentally fall pregnant, get a house or flat, get benefits, no father is around to pay maintenance and the kids are dragged up rather than bought up and end up with ASBO as trophies. There's a family up the road and the fathers pop in once in a while but the 5 kids are various shades in colour. The mother can't work but the kids have everything and their council given house is bigger than most of hard working people who pay taxes to support them. Now this is why people moan.
Glad you show the other side of the coin. Well done.
2007-01-23 15:04:52 · answer #4 · answered by JJ88 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's all media hype,T.V and certain people trying to push up their ratings,official findings are that most very young mums are supported by their close family and don't put a massive strain the system.The middle class,who run the media machine and anything to do with benefits and just about everything else, love to put the lower and working class down. And stigmatise them.
2007-01-23 15:33:04 · answer #5 · answered by SAR13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't criticise a young mum,
Its just nice to experience life without having any responsibility, you know earning money and not having to worry about bills and travelling without kids is a lot easier, and kids can come later.....that's the choice I made, I was 28 when I had my first son........
But saying all that, everyone is different and if you are happy with the paths you chose then it does not matter about those ignorant people out there who do not realise that everyone wants different things out of life
2007-01-23 15:00:37 · answer #6 · answered by xXx Orange Breezer xXx 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because a lot of young girls don't know how to look after a baby most of them expect people to help them like there mum or dad baby's are not like dolls they grow they need stability proper education even when they are tiny babys they learn. they learn through touch and taste smell and hearing. they understand emotions there not stupid. i work with children of ages 0-5 years i have studyed and understand what children need to be happy and confident. and having too young parents slows there chances of learning in many cases
2007-01-23 14:58:24 · answer #7 · answered by dragontears 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you are an exception on not every one is as mature as you are are there is a lot of very good mums out there but what happens is that the bad ones get the publicity, also a lot of young mums are from poor backgrounds and having their kids young deprives them of getting a good standard of education and getting out of the poverty trap and having to raise their kids in places were their are drug and anti social behaviour, not a good start in life , congratulations to you and good luck with your family
2007-01-23 15:36:22 · answer #8 · answered by jinx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people always like to think the worst of other people and put then down it makes them feel better about there own life.
here is some examples
to young to have kids
to old to have kids
dont earn enough and are scroungers
earn to much and are snobs
joe blogs partner is to old for him
joe blogs partner is to young for him.
you just have to live your life as you see fit and be happy with the choices you make.
2007-01-23 15:01:37 · answer #9 · answered by lynthechef 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Alas, with all generalisations, it is often the few who spoil it for the many.
As the exception to the supposed 'rule' I would hold your head up high!
Kudos for knowing what you want and working to get it - I'm 22 and still haven't got a clue about how I want my life to turn out.
2007-01-23 14:54:36 · answer #10 · answered by Natalie B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋