16 and Pregnant
Friday, June 12, 2009 at 8:00AMDid you guys happen to catch this show on MTV last night? If you haven't watched it, it's basically "The Hills" with placenta.
Ok, no, it's actually a tragedy...a show about kids trying to play house, but with a REAL BABY. 
here
Even coming from an extremely conservative Christian background, I can't understand why parents would not make every effort to, if not encourage their child to terminate the pregnancy, then at least help her make arrangements for giving up the baby for adoption.
**Side note: PLEASE talk you your children about safe sex...every last aspect of it. Believe me, I've talked to some of America's teenagers, and there are some super dumb misconceptions out there. Like, girls that think if they don't let some guy cum inside them, then he's not "enjoying himself." Uhhh...seriously? You know what's super enjoyable? NOT HAVING A BABY BEFORE YOU CAN VOTE.**
Obviously, I don't know all the arguments for or against a sixteen -year-old keeping a baby. Anyone out there have any experience or opinions on this subject at all? I must confess, I am super perplexed; I can't imagine that on any level, it would be an easy decision.
That's right, people, I'm asking for some help on this one. What do you think?
Reader Comments (6)
I think 16-year-olds having babies is a sad fact of life.
More than that, I don't know.
Kids shouldn't have kids - that's how I feel about it. I totally agree that parents need to man up and start talking to their kids about sex, also - my mom didn't but thankfully I'm not retarded. If anything, this topic is mostly just an epic FACEPALM for me. It's beyond my comprehension sometimes.
My Grandma had her first child when she was 16. But man, times have change since then.
Yes, the thought of a 16-year old having a child is something I can't wrap my head around. And I guess the only way to prevent it is to prevent it. Abortion or adoption seem like too painful. Unfortunately there are a lot of uneducated (in this respect) out there, so I think it will keep on happening.
I always thought that kids who had children so young would be terrible parents unti a girl who used to be my math tutor got pregnant at age 17. She is seriously the BEST mom I have ever seen in my whole life. She managed to do her senior year online while she went to school her junior year and graduated a year early and got a job and is going to de paul university now. Her baby is so well taken care of, ive neer seen anyone do a better job.
I think that if teenager gets pregnant and can take care of it and be able to provide a good life then they should keep it. Having a baby young doesnt mean the kid is going to have a terrible life and not have as many opertunities as other kids.
Terminating a pregnancy because your stupid and got yourself pregnant is the stupidest thing ive ever heard, at least with adoption the kid can have life.
Good thoughts, guys, though I don't know that I would necessarily say that terminating a pregnancy is dumb; rather, it really depends on the person making the decision, as well as what your definition of "life" is. I think it's really important to remember that ANY decision a woman makes regarding her body and her ability (or inability) to reproduce is incredibly complex, deep, and personal. I've come to the point in my life where I just can't make blanket statements anymore about that subject.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I definitely think more parents should be talking to their kids and taking their daughters to the gyno.