Teens Trying to Become Pregnant
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2008
by Kathy Slattengren
Priceless Parenting
I was saddened to read that Gloucester High School in Massachusetts had a record number of 17 pregnant teens this year. Apparently this happened after a number of them, all 16 and younger, made a pact to get pregnant. According to the article some girls expressed that they felt their parents would be fine with it and would help them out.
However, there are a number of inherent difficulties because it's hard for teens to be emotionally and financially prepared to deal with the challenges of raising a child. A few years ago I was eating dinner with a teen mom who kept telling her 2 year old "I love you; I just wish you weren't here." She told me how much she missed going out dancing and having fun with her friends. She resented having to take care of her son and just wasn't ready for the level of commitment and responsibility he required.
It appears that many teens are not hearing messages from their parents about the serious consequences of pregnancy and raising a child. The parents of pregnant teens also pay a heavy price. For example, the U.S. Census 2000 figures show that 2.4 million grandparents had primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren.
This data motivates me to talk to my two teenagers about sexuality and the incredible responsibility involved in having a baby. Parents, if we want to enjoy our grandchildren some day but do not want to be responsible for raising them, we need to talk to our teens about this. There are many books which provide great suggestions on talking to kids about sexuality and associated responsibilities. You can find some of these books on www.PricelessParenting.com under the Resources link. Let the conversations begin!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Kathy, I had not heard about this instance but I knew it was prevalent now more than ever before and it's disheartening. You've written an informative article with professional and true-to-life credentials. I have bookmarked your site and will be in contact with you in the future about your lessons. Thank you!Thanks Avis. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Kathy, it is hart breaking that it has become popular to have a baby, but lets look at society, why wouldn't it. Teen sex used to be highly discouraged, movies were made about the realty of teen sex--not any more- its pushed and encouraged, its glamourized in movies, passing out condoms at school-middle school even? How tragic. Serioulsy, if teens really used those things, the pregancy rate and the STD rate would be low. The problem is people do not place beauty and value on virginity. They say its natural to explore, well ya of course it is, but it doesn't make it right. Thanks for bringing up the difficult parts of teen parenting. Abstinence used to work before teen sex was glamourized, perhaps if we went back to the "real" reality, there might be a turn. One out of 4 teens have an std, ya, its a good thing they got their condom from school. Give me a break. Sorry, this is a sensitive issue for me because kids are being decieved and falling for the lies and then being stuck with the consequences. My heart breaks. Thanks for gving me more motivation to pray. Blessings to you! Teresa
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