First I'd like to thank all those who read my previous post. I got a lot more reads and comments than I anticipated - especially over night. So thank you very much for your interest in my point of view & everyone's comments.
Now....I'd like to add a new point of view to a very old topic : teen pregnancy; which I touch on in my last blog. But it was more about me meeting new people.
I personally fall into this category of teen prenancy, but the negative stigma attatched to the term does not apply to my lifestyle or my choices. "Teen pregnancy" is usually associated with students who got pregnant by mistake, or maybe on purpose but without their boyfriend's knowledge. Girls who had their whole lives ahead of them and made some gross error in judgement.
This is not always true. I don't know how many of the girls that fall into this category can relate to me - but I do know that ALL of us are not victims of poor judgement. I went into my marriage fully aware of everything that it implied. I also became pregnant fully aware of everything it implied. Of course there will always be some things that pop up in life that you could have never forseen. But I do not regret any of my decisions.
I have always known that I wanted to be a parent, I didn't always know that it would happen so soon though. When people are confronted with my choices they usually look at me in shock and say "But why? You have your whole life ahead of you." I don't understand this statement, I still do. I didn't die. I'm in love with my husband, I graduated from highschool, I'm going to finish college and be an incredible mother. So where is the mistake? We are supporting ourselves and will support our child when he or she is born, we've thouht about everything and made our choices despite what everyone thought should deter us.
I am not simply another statistic. I would like t think of myself as a breath of fresh air where there are so many stereotypes and expectations for failure. Some people who will look at me as my stomach continues to swell will scoff and think "another pregnant black girl". But they do not know the whole story. They don't know that I am far from your typical teen pregnancy story - I am a success story. Because through all my hardships, and emotional struggles, I am still an enterprising young woman who is continung her education, and having a child who will be a remarkable addition to society.
BTW - if you come across any grammatical or spelling errors I missed just let me know, THANKS!
I think that if a teen is sure they want to and are ready to be a parent they should not be looked down upon...I think it's really sad that irresponsible teens represent a bad image for all pregnant teens or teen mothers...I know that I have a friend that is pregnant and it's what she wants...and I don't think it's wrong as long as you know what you're getting into
I understand where you are coming from. I am a teen parent myself and will still be starting college this year. Though it wasn't something that I planned, I am taking full responsibility of my actions. Me and my boyfriend aren't married but plan to be one day. I dont consider myself to be another teen stastic either because looking around me today, I realize that there are A LOT of teen mothers. Some as young as 12 years old and still decide to drop out of school. I am not judging because there is no telling what is going on in her life. But at the same time, there are girls who were just plain out being "fast" and ended up pregnant and now don't want to have to deal with the circumstances. For example, I know more than a couple of teen parents where I live who have had their children taken from them. I don't understand how or why they would let something like that happen. We need to learn how to step up and handle business the way it needs to be done. Because when my son is born, I plan on giving him the best life possible. I truely understand where you're coming from because I feel the exact same way.
These questions are not meant to be judgemental, but:
-Do you know for sure your husband will stick by you? How do you know that?
-Can you support yourself AND a child, financially speaking? Do you have a large amount of money already saved up?
The thing is, I've seen a lot of teens like you... and generally they're girls who leapt out of high school into the arms of some guy, got married within months, and somehow decided that they're emotionally and financially prepared for a lifetime responsibility.
Yes I know he'll stick by me. The same way people know the next day will come when they make their plans. The same way you know all your furniture will still be in your house when you get back. Whether you call it faith or anything else, that's how I know my husband will still be there for me.
Yes we can support ourselves and a child. And I don't know a lot of teens like me, but I know myself. And I didn't just leap out o highschool into the arms of "some guy". I found the man God intended for me, and it just so happens highschool was ending at the same time. And for a lot o reasons that you couldn't possibly know, I am ready for that lifetime of responsibility, but that's something you could only know if you knew me.....
-Leave the world a better place than you came to it.