What do you think of TEEN PREGNANCY???

Answer 1

Teenage pregnancy is an unfortunate circumstance of our society. In this day and age, it is or should be even less acceptable than in the past. After all, aren’t you young folks today so much smarter than your parents and grandparents? But it seems that having children without being married these days is almost status quo, with the number of celebrities who are doing so. And I think this may be influencing teens to think that it's ok to go ahead and do it.

Speaking as someone who was a teen parent, I do not recommend it. For me, it was decades ago. It meant that I started having sex way before I was really ready. I succumbed to peer pressure and that ‘baby, I love you, prove to me that you love me’ crap. The sex was not any fun, and before I knew it I was pregnant. I think my pregnancy was easy because of my youth, but let me tell you, labor and delivery was no picnic! These days, every sexual encounter you have without using protection means you are risking your life to way deadlier diseases than I had to contend with.

I was very fortunate to have a lot of help though this. My mother provided for my son, along with his father. Because of that, I was able to finish high school and go on to college. But it was not easy, and I missed out on a lot in high school because I had to get home every day, go get my son, and take care of diapers, baby clothes, formula (before powdered stuff in a can). And do homework. Very little opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, games, etc.

It complicates your young life. I know that there are programs that work to help teen parents, but your life would be so much easier without having to deal with a small child while you are trying to get on with the business of being a teen. Not saying it can’t be done, but it is not something most teens can handle alone.

I did have to give up some dreams/expectations. It was just too hard, trying to support myself and my son while I went to college. My mother had died, my son’s father/husband turned out to be a typical irresponsible, womanizing jerk. I could not conceive of going to grad school when I graduated because I could not face another 2 years of hot dogs and beans.

I might have made more out of my life if I hadn’t made it hard on myself by having a baby when I did. It was a mistake, and if I had a do-over I would not repeat it. But I love my son, raised him to be a successful young man who got that grad school education I missed, and who is a much better father than the one he had. And though it was a mistake, I do not regret it. My mother died when my son was 5. He was the only grandchild born during her lifetime. My sister’s and my brother’s children are 20 years or more younger than my son. If not for my teenage mistake, she would not have had the pleasure of any of her grandchildren.

Answer 2

I by NO means condone teen pregnancy but I would be a hypocrite if I said it is horrible, ect. I got pregnant when I was 17 and I was scared to death, but thankfully I had the most wonderful supportive family and an equally wonderful boyfriend (now my husband) We took responsibility and we now have a beautiful 8 year old son and we have been married 9 years and I dont think we could ask for a better life than we have now. I truly think it depends on the persons personality and maturity level...of course Im talking about older teens, I think it is a tragedy for a 13, 14, and so on to ever be pregnant. I definately think that there are teens having babies that should NOT be parents in any way shape or form, but for people like me who had a support system and decided to take responsibility and are willing to give up the way your living your life at the time to start a new life with your precious baby, I think that it has the potential to be okay. I love my son with all my heart and would not change a thing now, but of course I think the 'wiser' thing to do would of course would have been to have safe sex and wait until we were much older. I thank God though that everything turned out okay for us.

Answer 3

I think teenage pregnancy has become a big problem in the world today. It seems more and more likely for a girl under 16 to have a baby now days. I have a younger sister who is a 11 grader in high school and she and I talk about everything. Sex and teen pregnancy is 1 of them. She knows a lot of girls and has friends with babies. To me its as if they think this is cool to have a child at such a young age, I guess they think the are being GROWN UP SO TO SPEAK but it's really not true. Nothing is cool around having a child at an early age. One of my sister's friends I spoken to after she had her child at 16 and got her thoughts about being a parent now. She regrets the decision to have a baby right now. She bought up the fact that she thought she was in love with this boy and felt as if this would make their bond tigther. Boy was she wrong and alot of kids are. If you're going to have sex protect yourself because a child isn't something you can just give back when you want to be a kid again. My sister's friend missed out on prom, going out, and having a normal teenage life....

Answer 4

It is happening way too much. (This coming from a teen mom) I was 17 when I got pregnant but 18 when I had my daughter. I guess what I really mean is that it is happening way too much due to **irresponsiblity!** I chose to get pregnant...I felt I was ready. I am now a 20 yr old hapily married mom! I have never strayed from my decision...I wanted to grow up and that is just what I did, I do not even regret it! I don't party, go out with friends, drink, do drugs, etc. My family is more important to me than petty crap like that. Teen pregnancy happens so often by accident to girls who freak out when they find out and that is when I find it unacceptable. Hey, if you think you are old enough to have sex, you had better be old enough to be prepaired to raise a child! It is unfortunately accepted too often...then again every generation seems to get more and more rebelious. I pray my daughters listen to the advice I give them when they reach the age where I need to talk to them...which seems to get sooner and sooner. It is very very scarey! In all actuality though, it depends on the girl and how she was raised...level headed or not. Some such as myself do not find enjoyment with things a teen is suppose to do...I mean I have always viewed such things as irresponsible and a waist of time. My mom was a teen mom and preached a lot about teen pregnancy and how hard she has had it. I have watched my mom bust butt to raise all of us and that I think that has prepaired me for the life I chose.

Answer 5

It can be sad and it can be bad if it happens to someone who can not live up to their responsibilities. I had my daughter when I was 16. She is now almost 5 and I am almost 22 years old. I finished high school, and am now married to my daughter's father and we have a 17 month old son. We both have very good jobs making a substantial amount of money and are in the process of buying a house. So I guess it depends on the teenager.
When I found out I was pregnant (which was a huge surprise as I was on the pill) my life turned around. I grew up really fast. My husband's family and my family were very supportive and helped us out extremely!!!
All I know is that I made it and am now a better person and I would not change a thing!!!
Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!!!

Answer 6

It's interesting that a few generations ago most new parents were teens/young twenties. Of course, that was because people married much earlier than now. Also, those couples generally had the support of their parents in raising their young families.

I think unmarried teens who have children are at high risk for many undesirable outcomes: drop out rate, low wage jobs, lack of health care, poor prepared for parenting. It can also start or continue a cycle of poverty for the next generation.

That's why teen pregnancy is such a problem.

Answer 7

That subject is very hard to comment on when it has so many issues that surround teen pregnancy. I don't think that it is right but, it can be corrected. Next itme you see a pregnant teen reach out to her and maybe this will be the last time she gets pregnant or reffer her to some services. Be a mentor and not a person who frowns upon it but celebrate new life. You just may be that person that she needs in her life to stir her her the right way.

Answer 8

I got pregnant when I was 17, so this is a personal issue. I do not recommend going out and getting pregnant at a young age. Simply, because some teens can handle it while some can't. I was ready for the responsibility, and I love my daughter more than anything. I do not regret getting pregnant at all. I think it really depends on what is important to a person. I do not think that a woman should be judged on how good of a mother she is by her age either. I am a better mother than many who are older than me! I think many frown upon it because they feel teens are going to miss out on so much of life. Yes, being a teen mother is not easy. I had to manage finishing school and taking care of a baby. I am in college now, I work full-time and take care of my little princess. I work very hard, and I am fortunate. I am able to provide my little girl with whatever she wants, because of the hard work me and her father have done. Therefore, I ask all of you to not judge teen mothers because of their age. Many of them do more than you think.

Answer 9

age does not affect what type of mother you will be. i know adults that shouldnt have even had children. im 20 years old and have 2 children, both with my husband. and as far as everyone saying that people make "mistakes"... i would NEVER consider my children a mistake, and i dont know any case where that should even be said. babies are not mistakes. however, i do believe that if your not going to suffer the consequences when pregnancy happens, you should not be having sex. i took care of my children, i stood up and did my job. oh.. and just for the record, abortion is worse than teen pregnancy. at least i didnt kill my child and gave it a chance!

Answer 10

I'm from Mississippi (we were the state with the most teen pregnancy...if we're not we're still in the top few). I find it really frustrating. We're so nestled in the Bible belt that heaven forbid we really teach safe sex. My parents assumed I wouldn't HAVE sex until I was married....not the case. My school didn't really teach us anything about it. I'm not saying it's the school/government's fault - that's way too simplistic - and just because those institutions didn't teach me...I'm not pregnant, I know how to have safe sex. That said...there could be more done to prevent unplanned teen pregnancies...and we should get on it!