teen mothers?

Question

does any1 notice how tv shows portray teens mothers? on eastenders, Tonia gave her baby away (years ago), demi ran away and stayed in a drug den with her boyfriend and baby, on hollyoaks, amy also gave her baby away to her mum as did Debbie from emmerdale! no wonder people class young mums as awful parents! i had my boy at 17 and i am a great mum, tho i have yet to see a well rounded good teen mum on tv

*Sonia

Answer 1

you watch too much tv

Answer 2

I think women's rights have come a long way, and when a reasonable person sees a teen mother they assume she has wrecked her future. They may also assume she is unwed and will not continue her education, maybe even "suck off the welfare system". This, like all assumptions, is hardly ever the case. There are many young mothers who continue their education, maybe even pursue it more ambitiously because they know they have a child to financially support. Unwed? Maybe. But do we really want teenagers marrying the father of their child? Not really. It's a damned if you do, and damned if you don"t situation. We would criticize a young married mother for rushing into a marriage just as we'd criticize an unwed mother for being 'promiscuous'. As for the financials, most teen mothers are supported by their immediate family not the government. They live at home so they can continue school and receive childcare from relatives. Maybe some people just feel that teen mothers are unequipped to deal with a child emotionally. In all honesty, I don't think you can prepare yourself for motherhood and if you wait to have children until it's the "right time" you may end up on the opposite side of the spectrum and be 40 years old on infertility treatments praying that it's not too late. We shouldn't judge people for deciding when to start their families, too young or too old.

Answer 3

But this is prob true of any stereo type.
Homosexuals always seem to have aids or STD's a marriage never lasts 5 min. A baby born in wedlock (i hate that word but u get what I mean) normally ends up being the milkmans kid.
kids from single parents are normally sexual deviants and little shits.
I think most people realise they don't portray real life. Don't they?


You carry on being a good Mum and enjoy the soaps. x

Answer 4

I had my son nearly 22 years ago at 19 and was a single parent. I am now a professional with a decent income and a great home (which I own). It always used to bug me too how teenage mothers were portrayed in the media, try and take it with a pinch of salt. Age has nothing to do with how good you are as a Mother. Enjoy your baby.x

Answer 5

Sarah Lou-corrie...although shes always boyf hopping and out on the town.
I had my first at 17 and second at 18 and a half and have been lucky enough to have the money and partner(their dad which yes I am still with) to support us.
I think were excellent parents and our kids have a great life and most importantly masses of love.
Im also sick of how teen mums are portrayed...when Im out alone with the kids I always also get the impression ppl look at me as a dirty council estate single mum...well fcuk em coz Im not.
Luv to u and ur bubbas!
xx

Answer 6

Being a good parent is more about maturity and self-sufficiency than it is about age. However, older adults are most likely to have the maturity and the means to raise a child. Many teens have babies and leave them with family members so that they can continue to socialize with their teen friends. They have no way to support a child, so that becomes the family's responsibility also. Of course, there are some exceptions.

Answer 7

I agree, teen mothers are portrayed badly in the media for the most part. Shows like hollyoaks or eastenders though will do anything for a storyline, so i don't really expect anything else from shows like that to be honest.

Answer 8

You are right. To be honest, when I saw the title of your question I thought it was going to be something nasty (sorry!), it's just what I've come to expect. Even documentaries seem to pick the worst examples to show. I was 18 when I had my son, he is now 2 1/2, very polite, empathetic and kind, and I am teaching him to read, count, etc. - yet people are always surprised when he isn't a little brat and I'm not stupid or drunk or worse. Some people base far too many of their opinions on what they see on television or read in the tabloids, in my opinion.

Answer 9

you may be a great parent, but the reality is, a whole lot of teens are not.
shows tend to portray people in a sterotypical and general form.
They want the show to be dramatic so they take what could happen to you in 3 weeks and they push it into one episode.

not much is dramatic about a wonderful mother who takes care of her child. Which is what you most likely are.

Answer 10

I agree with you, I know its only TV buts its one of the nations biggest past times and people do stigmatise because of it. I was 18 when I had my daughter, it wasn't planned but I dealt with it, like an adult!

But yes there are teens out there who are bad news, who are on drugs, who have babies so they can get a council house and benefits, but there are also adults that do this!

I suppose the story writers make them turn out bad to stop teens having babies.

Answer 11

I've known a lot of parents who had kids young. Some of them are spectacular parents to their children. Some are much better with their kids than the ones that had theirs at 40+. Its all in the person and age has nothing to do with how seriously you take parenting.
Don't get me wrong, I've seen bad teenage parents too. Kids that aren't ready for it and don't want the responsibility.