Young Pregnancy

[SonnyCat]

There is a girl that i know who is 16 years old. She has recently annonced that she is pregnant with her long term boyfriend. I then found out that she had wanted a baby since she was 14 and therefore this pregnancy was planned. Is this right at such a young age?

[redcrx]

its right for some, not right for others.

shes with a long term partner, that is a start

We cant judge at all, they may well both have full time jobs, their own home, are able to fully support themselves and each other etc etc

I know mums who had first children at 15/16 and are great parents, I know others who had children at 35 and are pretty useless. It takes all sorts.

[squarebear]

It's the state of society today I'm afraid. Many teenage girls see getting pregnant, get a council house, live on benefits as the accepted way of life nowadays.

[mrs_overall]

I agree with squarebear. There are girls out there with no ambition or prospects who decide at an early age that teenage motherhood and a life on benefits is the way to go. I know of one 13 year old who intends to get pregnant asap as she dislikes school and wants to leave. She is trying to work out which boy in town has the wealthiest family and intends to aim her sights on him.
I work with a woman whose daughter gave birth at 15. She was given a brand new 2 bed flat and has the nerve to moan that she really wanted a house. It makes my blood boil.

[redcrx]

SQ and Mrs O.
Im not saying that there arent girls out there who see it as a free and easy ride with a 'dolly' to play with. A baby should be brought into a world with a mum and dad and a settled family life, it doesnt always happen but to plan it any other way is wrong.

But i do know those who didnt go after handoutsand big council houses and do a great job of raising wonderful children

[mrs_overall]

redcrx, I'm sure there are. My mum is a prime example as she married at 16, had 10 of us and did a brilliant job.
However, I've just done a mental tot up of all the teenagers with babies that I know of personally....and they are all scrounging wasters

[redcrx]

lol, i know about half and half Mrs o, but then i know a lot of 30 something scroungers too.

I think our main problem is that the government does nothing to put these youngsters off, playing house and mummy and daddy is seen as an adventure and a goal for many nowadays.

[Goodsoulette]

Redcrx is right, for some it is a good thing, for some it is a bad thing. My mum was 16 when she got pregnant with me, it didn;t hold her back in the slightest. Not only does she have her own farm but she is also a midwife.

[mrs_overall]

Ladies, I'm not knocking teenage pregnancies per se, just the career scroungers.

[ChocolatChip]

I think that as most of the others agree. It is right for anyone who is willing to work hard and will be a great parent.
For a few months lately I've been dying for a baby (Hormones seem to have calmed down now!) But I knew I couldn't because of financial position and housing position. I'd rather wait until I have a home of my own (be it rental or owned) and have good permanent jobs, before having a child.
The thought of trying to get benefits for all the reasons above really saddens me.