16 & Pregnant. Teen Mom. Mom at Sixteen. The Pregnancy Pact.
Teenage pregnancy and motherhood are so prevalent today. Our old and new friends are suddenly expecting children. Some of them are married, but usually they are single or "just dating." So what do we say when we find out the news? "Another one." "Oh, I feel so bad for her." "I can't believe that. How will she do it?" Or even worse, "She won't be able to handle it."
Why do we always jump to the worst conclusions? Why do we have to shame these young mothers?I mean, people used to have children at younger ages than we are. Today, a lot of the precious babies conceived at young ages are surprises. However, that does not make them any less special and it does not give the right to shame the mothers. At every age, every status and stage of life, babies can come as a surprise. We stare at pregnant teens in the grocery store. We scour at young mothers at the parks and malls. We complain about young mothers and their children on social media. We hurl insults and assumptions at all young mothers.
Uneducated, unemployed, unprepared.
Inexperienced, inadequate, incapable.
And what makes them lack everything that would make them a good mother? Their age. A number. A simple number is the reason we shame these mothers. Age completely undermines their experiences, determination, big hearts, and ability to care for another human being. Isn't that ridiculous? My age completely trumps my abilities and responsibility.
From my experience as a young mother, my energy and youthful determination makes me a more capable mother. I can better handle the stresses of school, work, and a baby because I have more energy. I have a stronger support system because my friends are not concerned with caring for their own kids or families. Physically, my body bounced back to normal fairly quickly after having my son. If that does not prove that young motherhood is a blessing, I don't know what will.
So let's stop assuming. Stop shaming young mothers. Stop scrutinizing and staring in the stores. Mothers at 16 or 50, it doesn't matter. Let's stop analyzing their lives and start embracing the blessing they brought into the world. Respect their bodies for going through the trauma of childbirth. Love them and their children because they are humans. Not Numbers.
