teenage pregnancy

[mariah226]

why is it unhealthy to be pregnant teenager?

[April2]

Physically their bodies are still growing, mentally and emotionally they're just usually not prepared for such a huge responsiblility. Don't forget, the teen brain isn't even done growing until their in their early to mid twenties.
If that's not enough, most pregnant teens are single, don't have the money, job or resources to take care of an infant and don't have the support of a husband to help. Then they wind up needing the government to help take care of their children with food stamps or welfare, or they have to rely on their parents to take care of their children which puts a huge burden on them.
Is that enough reasons?

[Kim1989]

yes our bodies are still growing but i dont think its all that unhealthy. i had a good pregnancy, not so easy labor, but my son came out lager, healthy so far.

[RockRose]

Honestly,  probably 17 or 18 years old is optimal physically for getting pregnant and a healthy quick delivery.  That depends of course on the girl taking great care of herself and being given optimal health care.

If you were going to "farm" humans the way we farm horses and cows and dogs,  the way to go would be to have girls in their late teens do most of the reproducing.

This is far from reality,  though.  Girls who give birth to babies have almost no chance of succeeding in life,  and their children are grossly handicapped at birth by the inexperience and social ineptitude of their mothers.  And their absent - or probably worse - present fathers.

Teenage mothers are a disaster both to themselves,  their babies, and society as a whole.  

[girl0319]

I really dont think that it is far for you to put all teen mothers in the same category as being a diaster. Yes, teenagers should not being getting pregnant. But I am a 16 year old mother and I do everything I can for my daughter. I think of myself to be a very good mother and dont think that I could have done anything better than I have. Yes, it would have been  much easier for myself and my daughter if I would of been older but I know that I am taking very good care of her. I'm not trying to start any problems I just dont think what you said was true.

[RockRose]

girl,  I worked with pregnant teenage girls for about a decade.  I totally agree that teenage girls are great at holding babies,  and feeding them,  and singing to them,  and loving them.  RIght now,  you're doing fine.

Babies need SO MUCH MORE as they grow.  They need a strong man in the house to set the standards for behavior for boys,  and to let girls know what to demand from a boyfriend.  

You need enough income to live in a safe,  stable neighborhood with good schools and other parents who are involved.

You need to not bring men into the household who will physically,  emotionally and sexually abuse your children.   Teenage mothers fail at this the most miserably.

Girl,  I wish you well.  I pray that you have parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles who will make sure you live in a safe place,  and make sure your baby has a good chance at succeeding in life.

In my experience,  teenage mothers fail at this most of the time.  Prayers you find a way to succeed.

[kele1129]

While I agree that children including teens should enjoy their chldhood and not have to take on adult responsibilities, I feel you were quite harsh in your statements. Could it be that teens "fail" at parenting is because people like you give them long lists of ways they WILL fail...instead of lists of ways they can avoid failing.

And for the record, I was raised by a single mother, with no "strong man in the house to set the standards for behavior for boys,  and to let girls know what to demand from a boyfriend." I feel that attitude is antiquated and doesn't fit with today's modern families. My mother raised me the best she could and I came out fine with no father figure. I am married to a wonderful man who I found myself with no advice needed from a father about boys.

I understand we are all entitled to our own opinions, I just wanted the teen mothers on this post to know that there is one person out there that does not think they will fail based on their age.

[mj_mommy_manda]

I found your comments really offensive.  Please do not categorize all teenagers in one category as everyone is different.  
I dont walk around saying that all 48 year old women do is sit at a desk as a secretary all day then go home and crochet and read a little before drinking a glass of warm milk and going to sleep, so i think its really unfair for you to say that in todays society all teenage girls that get pregnant pretty much fail miserably as mothers, and what about all the mothers out there who are divorced and raising their children on their own but are not teenagers? is that much different? I guess its a little different in the fact that the father has to have something to do with the child but what if the mother has sole custody and all she gets from daddy every month is a check in the mail? if that? I think you should have listed that as your opinion before you chose to stir up emotions.  I know WONDERFUL teenage mothers and their children could not be happier with any other parents.

[kris123]

i had two babies when i was young - one at 14 - it was really hard on my body - my son only weighed 5pounds 13oz, 19inches.  i did not know what was going on and it was very hard.  he was placed for adoption. i had my daugher at 17 and had no problem she was a big baby

[RockRose]

mj mommy,  I don't know any kids who were born to teenage girls who couldn't be "happier" with older parents.

Sometimes,  teenagers struggle against all odds and make it turn out okay by the sweat of their brows.

Had they grown up fully,  gotten married,  gotten settled,  gotten to know and become comfortable with their spouse before getting pregnant,  yes,  the kids would be "happier".  The only people who dispute this are teenage moms,  because they don't want to accept this fact.

You can find it offensive if you want,  but I wasn't offended by your crocheting secretary comment.  Because in fact,  the shoe doesn't fit.  I'm not a crocheting secretary,  nor do I fear being one.

Be watchful of what offends you.   It's because it hits close to home.

And I won't stop educating against girls purposely getting pregnant.  It's unfair to the babies, and selfish.  

[mj_mommy_manda]

I think that the last post was a little bit better put.  Most teenagers get pregnant on accident.. I got pregnant on accident 3 times.. I was actually on the birth control patch the first.. Taking it correctly.. The pill the second time.. Taking it correctly and used a condom the third time.. Which is our own fault because it didnt fit right.  But anyway.. My basic point was that things happen and people deal with them.  This pregnancy for me was planned.  I am excited and although young I wouldn't really consider myself a teenage mother because I support myself.  I work full time, have insurance, and my boyfriend is the same.. Although we aren't married and its not the "ideal" situation for a baby, people have chosen to bring a child into much worse.. Thank you for putting your disagreement with teen pregnancy for in perspective for me because now that you have explained how you feel and why you feel that way I am no longer offended by it and I understand your point of view.

[valleybabes]

I agree with ROCKROSE.....I am 38 yrs old and went through alot when I was a young teen having a baby, and YES it is very different than having a baby in your thirty's.... (I am due in a few weeks and very excited!!!  I am much more wiser, stable, enducated and mentally capable of caring for a newborn at this age.  I now have a 16 and 20 yr old and there is no way in he ll that they would put themselves in a postion of having a child at such a young age!  My children both have friends that are young parents and NOT ONE FRIEND has painted a pretty picture of a good life for there babies!  Both my children FEEL for there friends and avoid making that mistake.  I am so thankful my children are making better choices for themselves!