pregnancy age 11

[laurence2]

I wasen't syre where to post this, but felt i would get a better response on this site.

I,ve just heard that a Girl who became pregnant in Edinburgh at the age of 11 is set to break the record for being the UK's youngest mother.

She is due to give birth in the next few weeks, she became pregnant after a night on the town, apparently she was undre the influence of alchohol and smokes 20 ciggarettes a day, the father is 15 years of age, the girl has been quoted as saying that she is very excited by the prospect of becoming a mum as she's had experience bringing her younger brothers up.

Her mother says, shes not annoyed by her daughter, shes pleased for her for having the courage to keep the baby.

When is someone going to stand up and say ''Hold on a minute'' whos taking responsibility their, now i know this is a touchy subject, especially with young mothers, but i find this particular case quite disturbing.

Your comments please would be appreciated.

Ps, the only information i'm going on is via the media, so i apologise if some of the facts i,ve mentioned are wrong

[Scarlett]

The girl wouldn't be drinking and smoking if she was being looked after properly at home. I live in quite a rough area and the streets are full of hooded young kids hanging around looking as menacing as they can. They are out after dark. WHY?? What on earth makes their parents think that this is okay??! I used to go out- to piano/swimming/Brownies/music clubs/drama clubs, and I would come straight home afterwards. The only time I ever "hung around" with my mates was when I was 18 and old enough to go to pubs. Sometimes it was nice to just sit on a park bench and chat at night in the summer. But we were old enough to behave ourselves.

These kids are basically rebelling- smoking, drinking, being aggressive and rude- they are rebelling because they are not getting the kind of attention they need. They are crying out to be looked after. This is totally the Mother's fault.

[Maggie-Mae]

JudgeJ, that is why there are so many teenage pregnancys because too many people believe as you say in your post "that children cannot be expected to understand the potential consquences of their actions"! Well that is where the education system and possibly parenting is falling short - if an 11 year can get pregnant and 15 year can get her pregnant then why arent children getting better sex education and also proper education with regards to relationships and lifes responsibilities. Its all very well teaching children algebra and trigonomentry in schools but that doesnt stop children of 15 years and 11 years becoming parents. There are too many people who wish to either beleive that their children can do no wrong or wrapping them up in cotton wool but the truth of the matter is todays youth are not the same as yesterdays youth and therefore the education system has to change in line with the changes in society.

[annavc]

Just heard on the news that the boy is going to be charged with rape.

[loobie]

They have indeed charged him with rape. He is due in court in July. Maybe that'll teach em!!!

[Silversky]

I was completely shocked when I heard the news! I'm 15, and I could never imagine having a baby in about 5 years a least, let alone having a 4 year old now!

It does kind of put the stereotypical into the frame of mind. As I can already guess how she looks and what her mother is like. I do apologise is is don't agree.

I don't think the boy should be charged with rape. Even though she's 11, it still does take 2 to tango. And I know how "mature" act and how they talk about having sex, as if its not a serious thing. For someone like me it's really shocking, because I would like to keep my virginity until I get married.

I think that the mother should be ashamed and that the government should step in and say "no" and that she should have an abortion. You are not in the mental or physical state to have a baby at that age. However I also do feel that she should have a baby too, because it's a punishment of the consquences of "Having a good time" like that. But I wouldn't want to force a life like that on a little baby.

(Sorry if this seems very harsh. But everyone is entitled to an opinion)

[gessoo]

Maggie-Mae. I put the blame fully on parenting and not on the education system. IMHO the responsibility for childrens' moral and social welfare lies fully with the parents and family. Kids are no different from children of previous generations - it's the parenting that has changed. Fortunately, there are still many great parents around who put their children's welfare first and make many sacrifices to do so. However, there are a whole lot of kids who will never know what parenting is all about and, therefore, their own children will also be in the same boat.

The education system can't be blamed for 11 year olds being out drinking at night, smoking and getting pregnant. Too many people these days are quick to blame anybody but themselves for problems with their children.

[lubilu]

well i dont no what to say apart from what a llfe the child as had to be this way,what a mother and father she must have to teach her this way of life,the parents should be punished not the children,what is there back ground and childhood like to bring there child up like this.take parenting classes.my daughter was still playing with her Barby doll with her friends at 11,what in the world as happened!!! god i hope you are ashamed of your self for bringing your daughter up like this.