I am going to start this article by saying this is going to represent ALL young mothers not just "Teen" mothers. I used the term "Teen Mom" in my headline because it is the common phrase that society uses. Now .. lets get started. As we all know women getting pregnant will always be a thing in this world. Lots of people think that you should wait until you're older or wait until you're married to have a baby but lets be realistic here. That doesn't happen. Girls getting pregnant from the ages 13-21 is something that is very common. Of course though a lot of people think that is wrong. In my opinion no matter what age you are every female should get the same respect when they are pregnant. I am the living breathing product of a woman that gave birth to me when she was 16 years old. May I say .. she did one hell of a job with me. There have been a lot of false accusations about young mothers and a lot of unnecessary rumors. Here are a few.
1. Teen Moms Are School Dropouts
Having a baby while you're still in school can obviously be a difficult task. Although I wouldn't go around saying that ALL young mothers end up dropping out. A lot of young mothers still decide to attend school while carrying their baby. Of course after they give birth they take a little time off but they're back to it as soon as they're ready. I feel that mothers that still finish High school or College when just having a baby do not get enough credit. Some people say it's because they have a great support system but who really knows if they do? Some mothers go to school and work just to pay for their child's daycare. There are also some mothers that do online classes instead because they have no one to watch their child. You can't make assumptions about situations you know nothing about. There are women walking around with their High school and College diploma and can say they achieved it WHILE being pregnant and having their baby.
2. Teen Moms Are Single Moms
Granted in this day in age young relationships don't always work out but that doesn't mean the mother is a single parent. The father can be just as involved as the mother doing his part as he should be. Don't be so quick to judge. I think people are so used to the fathers leaving young mothers as soon and they get pregnant and don't recognize the ones that do stay. Just because they're young doesn't mean they are with a guy that won't step up. You do know not ALL teen parents end up breaking up right? If they do break up that doesn't mean they are not willing to do co-parenting for their child. Sometimes things don't work out it happens. That doesn't mean they let their child suffer because of it.
3. Teen Moms Are Bad Moms
Let me make something VERY clear here. If a young woman actually made the decision to give her child up for adoption or actually raise her child .. how is she a bad mom? I am clearly saying if a young woman made the choice to accept that responsibility I think she deserves a lot more credit then the statement "Bad Mom". Giving your child up for adoption is not easy. From what I have heard and watched it is the hardest thing a mother can ever do. It has to be understood that not every women is ready for that responsibility or in the right place in their life for it. A mother that chooses a better path for their kids even if that means not being with them or a mother that decides to raise their child themselves deserve the same amount of respect. Give them that if not anything else.
I myself am 18 years old with no children but I know friends and family my age with a child. This article represents every young mother out there or any older women that had a child young that feel like they weren't or aren't enough. You are enough and you are respected. You were respected from the moment you took the responsibility to be a mother and make decisions for your child. Not all women in this world get to have children. It is really something that should be cherished. Ignore the comments. Ignore the dirty looks and ignore the bitter people in this world. You matter. You will always matter.
