Posts: 647
From: London, England
Registered: Sep 2006

posted February 01, 2008 06:19 AM         

---

.....what do you guys think on the subjects of teenage pregnancy/abortion/adoption/etc....?

I was a teenage mother and I'd be interested to know the opinions of you spiritual folk. All opinions welcome - don't worry about insulting me, as I guarantee I've probably heard worse!!!

Interested.....

IP: Logged

Posts: 4812
From: South of the Thumb - Taurus, Pisces, Cancer
Registered: Sep 2004

posted February 01, 2008 12:23 PM         

---

Although I don't claim myself, to be "spiritual" - only a work in progress - what do I think? I think that Mary, the mother of Jesus was a teenage mother. She was only 14 years old.

Although I was married at the time, I was pregnant at the age of 19 myself.

I think it's awfully young to take on the responsibility of motherhood but it happens all the time.

It is different in different cultures and what we may think of as too young in the U.S. is not seen that way in other cultures. But I think it is too young. I also think that motherhood is a huge responsibility no matter what age we are when we become pregnant. Parenthood is a responsibility on the part of both the mother and the father of the child.

Regarding abortion, personally I think that is a matter of the conscience and values of each individual and it is a matter of personal choice. It is a decision of conscience and I do not think anyone should judge the decisions of conscience of other people.

IP: Logged

Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted February 01, 2008 07:16 PM         

---

If you're ok with it, I'm ok with it.

I would say in general I think it's discouraging to see pregnant or parenting teenagers, but the last one I saw was my best friend's wife's sister, and it was kind of the same deal: if her, her family, and her boyfriend are ok with it, then I am, too. In that instance my attitude is helped by knowing that the child will be cared for adequately. The more vague my knowledge is about how the child will be cared for, the worse I'd feel about it.

IP: Logged

Posts: 7178
From: 11/6/78 11:38am Boston, MA
Registered: Aug 2004

posted February 01, 2008 07:47 PM         

---

HARLOT!!!!!

Just kidding.

What do I think about it?

Teenagers will be teenagers.

IP: Logged

Posts: 4812
From: South of the Thumb - Taurus, Pisces, Cancer
Registered: Sep 2004

posted February 02, 2008 12:18 AM         

---

quote:

---

The more vague my knowledge is about how the child will be cared for, the worse I'd feel about it.

---

I am with you on that point, AG. How the child will be cared for is what would be a major factor in how I feel about it as well.

Some teens are more mature than other teens. Same with us adults I guess.

IP: Logged

Posts: 302
From: Kittydirt, USA
Registered: May 2007

posted February 03, 2008 10:31 AM         

---

I have no judgment on teen mothers at all... if there is any judgment towards the issue it s towards our society and lack of guidance given. My mother was pregnant with me when she 16 and had me at 17. **** happens but it's the reactions it stirs is what is disappointing. I grew up with this stigma like I was some poor little girl wasn't feed enough, my mother was seen as a ***** , I was treated differently by my teachers and peers because I went to a school that was in suburbia, was one of a few Spanish families there and I was different because not only did I have a mother that was young but she was also single because of this I was given EXTRA class time and attention from the teachers because they were afraid my mother wasn’t adequate enough to help me outside of school.. They were so paranoid that it was mandatory I go to a reading program when I was above my reading level… All of this treatment because I had a mother younger than all of the teachers and faculty. People often thought my mother was lazy woman who did nothing with her life when in fact she went to college, had our own place, worked multiple jobs and paid for everything on her own with no help from family or my father. I give anyone who is a young mother and takes responsibility over the child unbelievable respect and could not see myself in their place… I think about how my mother had a 4 year old at my present age… That is scary and thankfully she didn’t break like so many people do when faced with life-changing and alternating circumstances.

IP: Logged