What do you think is the youngest age to be a successful first time mom?

Question

Ok, keep in mind at 17 I have no intention of becoming a mother, but I've noticed there are a lot of women that are advocating for teenage pregnancies. Some women claim that it can be done and be done relatively successful at 16, while other people say its not.

So I was wondering what your opinion was and how old you think is the youngest possible age to be a successful first time mother. Perhaps from experience, or other people's experiences or your own personal opinion.

Thanks.

Personally I think the youngest age for a successful first time mom would be 19. Because you're out of highschool and probably have a job which would make it easier to finance the baby's needs. But that's my opinion. What's yours?

Answer 1

I dont think age has anything to do with being responsible. I graduated from high school at 16 and completed 1 1/2 yrs of college before I got pregnant with my first child. I was 18 when I had her. Her father and I lived together throughout it all... never had any help from anyone... Im now 19 and pregnant with my second child. Im a full time Project Engineer, and have my life together.

I think as long as you are mature enough metally and financially, it doesn't matter how old you are.

Answer 2

Everyone just keeps talking about maturity. Maturity means nothing to me. It doesn't matter how mature you are at 16, 17, 18, that does not make you a good mother.

Take away welfare and how do you call these girls mothers at all? I mean seriously, what type of a job can a 16 old really do to earn enough money to support her and her child, McDonald's doesn't pay that good. No matter what anyone says, you need to be fianceably stable to raise a child (that's if we lived in a world where people didn't live one hand outs).

And if the child is still in school how does that make her a mother? If anything the grandmother or whomever else is stuck caring for the child while the mother finishes growing up is the maternal mother.

When you can take care of yourself all on your own (or if you and your husband) without out your parents or government assistance, then you're ready for a child.

Anything other than that, you are just living with the circumstances that you created by having sex. Sure some teenagers deal with it and keep their child. But that to me does no mean a successful mom, not in the least.

Answer 3

personal opinion 25!

you had your teenage years to have fun and enjoy and than have time to find a good, caring farther. That way you won't worry about experience and such... Either or, there's never the right time or age to have a baby, it comes down to how mature you are, even though a 16year old might feel mature but for sure isn't... You should be married to the father of your child and not try to trap him. I'm sure that's not your personal intention, but there is probably a lot of girls reading this that either are planning on it, or have done that. And you should want the baby, because of the baby, don't give the baby a job to do,... as in safe your marriage, relationship, cause that won't work and you will be stuck with the baby by yourself.
Baby's are the most precious things on earth!!!

Answer 4

I would never advocate anyone having a child until they are done with college. I had my daughter at 25. I'm 30 now I wasnt ready for her then either. 19 is too young in my opinion. You havent lived life yet and arent even legal. Legal Im meaning bars, clubs standard where you need to be 21. And what good job can you really have at 19? Good job meaning 30k or more a year where you dont have to be on welfare.

I dont understand why teenagers are in such a rush to have kids when they havent experienced life yet. I have a 17yr old sister and I give her my daughter every chance I get. She no longer wants to have kids at all. My mom is very happy about that one..

Answer 5

I totally disagree with these people who say older women are better mothers
I am 20 years old and im proud to be becoming a mother it is complete rubbish to assume that cos a girl is young she will be rubbish at being someones mummy
Young mums face enough (especially if they are single mums) without people lining up to make them feel bad. A good parent ISNT determined by age its determined by their maturity, ability to love and putting their kids first.
I might only be 20 but the parent i lived with made me live with an alcoholic and a pervert i would NEVER put my child thru that and my dad is twenty odd years older than me!!!!!
Ok rant over sorry bout that, but basically, although i think for a girls own sake she should wait till she at least out of high school and really sure of wat she wants, some 16 yr old mums are better mothers than some 40 yr olds will ever be. Its not an age thing its a maturity thing.

Answer 6

It depends on the maturity of the woman.

In the "old days", women who weren't married at age 19 were considered to be risking becoming "old maids". EVERYONE was married at age 19, and all your peers would be married and with children, or children on the way.

Life has shifted outward now, and girls of age 19 still have college ahead of them, many years of single life, and social life, and work.

If you're the "right" person, you might successfully have a happy life having children at 17, but usually women who do so find themselves with some resentment when their friends are 21 and out in bars and meeting young men, or going to college, or earning money, and you're at home changing diapers.

You can always have children later (at least into your mid 30s) so enjoy your life now. When you get closer to 28 or 30, you will probably be feeling more ready, maturity-wise, for children, and be able to deal with it.

It's nice to want something to love, but children are forever - you can't return them. It may sound trite, but get a puppy; you can have something to care for but it won't block your life like a baby will. There will come a point when you're ready to give to a child.

Like I said, you might be the odd one that can handle it now, but chances are you'd appreciate waiting some years. There's no hurry, and you'll enjoy it more in the long run.

Answer 7

Late 20's.

Having a child is VERY VERY stressful. And very exhausting.

I waited til I was 33 personally...

My mother had me when she was 19 and she said it was really really hard...

I remember us being dirt poor.

I think it depends on the maturity of the person and how well established they are...

Children bring great joy but they are a HUGE sacrifice and a HUGE commitment...looking back...I would have done it at 30 instead of 33...but no sooner.

I think back to all the things that I was able to do, like live on a beach in Hawaii and travel all through central america...I could have never done anything like that with an infant!

My opinion is this

0-10 = Time to grow and be nurtured and cared for

10-20 = Time to grow and be nurtured and blossom into a young adult

20-30 = Time for self discovery and establishment

30-50 = Building your family and caring for your children and their needs..

50 - 100 = Enjoy the fruits of your labor and party like a rock star in a leisure suit 'cause you busted your a.s.s. for the last 50 years and now it's time to relax.

Answer 8

That all depends on what you define a "successful mom" as. I don't advocate teen pregancy but I'm sure there are cases where a 17 year old has turned out to be a better parent than a 35 year old. Again, I don't think teenagers should be running around having babies - but being a mother is a lifetime job - one that has successes and failures - one of the most rewarding jobs because it allows and sometimes forces you to change - to give - to love - to discipline- to enlighten....the list goes on. One thing is for certain that you are never the same.

Answer 9

I married at age 16 to flee an abusive home. Of course, a couple of months later I was pregnant. I was 17 two months before my son was born. My husband was a year older than I was and in the service which was out plan to get away from home. Very stupid plan and I was not a good mother. In spite of my mistakes, my son is a fine man. His dad died when we were 21 and 22 If we hadn't been stupid kids we would not have had the time together that we did and I love that I have my kids. We also had a daughter and if I had it to do over, I don't think I would change a thing except having him die but that is kind of an unusual circumstance. I'm sure that as immature as we were, we would not have stayed together for a lifetime but I'll never know for sure. I think my son would have benefited from having parents who were not children themselves. We were pretty crazy and self centered.

Answer 10

Above all maturity is the biggest part of it, rather than age of course...But I think another big thing is being financially stable. You don't have to be anywhere near being rich, but stable enough to pay for food, diapers and a roof over your head. I also have to go with everyone about waiting until after college...I have a college degree, my husband has 2 college degrees and we STILL have a hard time with money...I just can't imagine being just out of high school and making enough money to support a family...people may get all offended by that but generally a high school diploma won't get you what a college degree can...babies are expensive, bottom line. Of course, my husband was raised by young parents that didn't have college degrees and he had a wonderful childhood and was raised very well...this is the case when maturity is the most important factor in having children.